State Awards $42.8 Million to Spur Local Affordable Housing, Including for Farmworkers

Note: This is a revised version posted at 5 p.m. Redwood City – The state has awarded $42.8 million to spur development of three local affordable housing projects, including coastal apartments reserved for farmworkers and their families. The funds will go to helping build a total of 212 units for residents with low incomes in projects in Daly City, Burlingame and Moss Beach, where 18 new apartments will be dedicated for farmworkers.

San Mateo County Coalition for Safe Schools and Communities Launches Naloxone Toolkit

The San Mateo County Coalition for Safe Schools and Communities launched its Naloxone Toolkit in December 2022 to help prepare school staff to safely use naloxone to reverse opioid overdoses that may occur on their campuses.

County Awards $54 Million in Housing Grants

Redwood City – Board of Supervisors President Don Horsley today announced 11 projects will receive a total of $54 million to create more affordable housing across San Mateo County. The award – $54,361,963 – is a County record for investing in housing. A total of 1,069 affordable housing units will be created or renovated with these funds.

Lorena Thompson's Legacy

When Lorena Thompson left her house the day after Halloween, she gave her young son and daughter each a kiss. “She loved us, and we knew we were loved,” said her daughter, Deborah Kemper. “That was really key for me growing up because I was angry after she was murdered, and I could have taken a bad turn in life.”

County Honors Marine as Veteran of the Year

The County’s Veterans Commission today a honored U.S. Marine and former firefighter as the San Mateo County “Veteran of the Year.” George Smith was honored before 250 attendees during the 7th annual Veterans Recognition Event for going “above and beyond” in service to his community.

Investing in the Arts

The County's new Office of Arts and Culture will see an infusion of $100,000 to help launch countywide programs and projects. The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, voted 5-0 to allocate the funds from the Measure K local half-cent sales tax. The funds will be used as a match for specific grants as well as to support numerous programs and projects, as outlined here:

To End Homelessness, A Focus on Prevention

Millbrae – County of San Mateo leaders today announced a bold local strategy to  reinforce the safety net for the county’s most vulnerable residents: $4 million annually to prevent evictions. “We will end homelessness in San Mateo County,” Mike Callagy, the County’s chief executive, said to an audience of more 300 at the “Our Year of Working Together to End Homelessness” Summit in Millbrae.

To Reduce Gun Violence, County Launches “Cutting-Edge” Effort to Remove Guns from the Hands of Felons, Stalkers

Redwood City – A coalition of top local elected and civic leaders today launched a new initiative to improve public safety by boosting efforts to remove guns from the hands of felons, stalkers, and other people prohibited from firearm possession. The launch of the new San Mateo County Gun Violence Prevention Program comes with a pledge of $2 million in funding over the next two years.

What's New: Board Approves Six Measure K Proposals

The Board of Supervisors approved the following regarding Measure K on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022:

History Comes Alive at Tanforan Memorial in San Bruno

San Bruno -- A decade-long effort to tell the story of 8,000 Bay Area residents of Japanese ancestry who were incarcerated during World War II at the site of what is now the Tanforan shopping center in San Bruno is now reality.

What Does a Healthy Community Look Like?

Redwood City — When you imagine a healthy community, what do you see? School gardens? Streets that encourage leisurely outings? Safe and affordable housing? Parks? All of the above and more?          

More Progress on Middlefield Road as Crews Open Sidewalks, Install First New Street Lights

The first new sidewalks are now open in a major reconstruction of Middlefield Road through North Fair Oaks. The open sidewalks and the installation of new street light poles mark a milestone in a project to create a safer street and bring neighbors and visitors to enjoy this thriving business area.