Mildew, lockouts spark probe of San Jose supportive housing complex

Silicon Valley lawyers are taking action after a series of tenant complaints at a San Jose affordable housing complex that opened two years ago.

Attorneys at the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley said some residents of Renascent Place, a complex for chronically homeless and disabled people at 2450 Senter Road, face eviction, the San Jose Spotlight reported. The residents have reported that John Stewart Company, its manager, has deactivated keycards, sent maintenance workers into residences without consent and had residents’ cars towed.

The complaints began shortly after the four-story, 160-unit building opened in early 2020 as permanent supportive housing. Nassim Moallem and Tessa Baizer said they were closely tracked when they visited to check on the conditions there.

“Management definitely took photos of us and appeared to be taking down the names of tenants who spoke with us,” Moallem told San José Spotlight. “A lot of tenants definitely have valid fears of experiencing retaliation in speaking up about their concerns.”

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Baizer said one tenant they spoke with was locked out of her unit days after the attorneys spoke with her.

Warren Reed, vice president at John Stewart, denied the claims, saying security workers were on site with cameras.

“That report is frankly very surprising to hear,” Reed said. “I don’t envision any of our staff doing that or frankly wanting to do that.”

Some residents said units were contaminated by mildew and advertised services including internet service and onsite job training weren’t provided. At the time, Charities Housing, which owns the property, said the services were modified due to Covid and would still be available.

John Stewart issued 433 lease violations in 10 months against tenants of Second Street Studios, another supportive housing complex it manages. Residents and advocates say many of them were for breaking minor rules such as hosting unauthorized guests.

“There is a real gap in providing the level of support needed for tenants to be able to feel comfortable,” Moallem said. “Instead, it’s much more punitive.”

[SJS] — Victoria Pruitt