The Richmond City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to expand emergency assistance for immigrants, including funds for rent, utilities and food. More than $140,000 will be diverted for these needs from a $1 million fund approved for immigration legal aid in March. Council members said adding flexibility to the aid program will help meet urgent needs in the community. “ICE is coming and breaking families apart,” said Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, who first suggested the expansion. “We want to protect these families,…
A new state law to create more high-density housing near transit stops by overriding local zoning restrictions may add housing units in San Diego, Los Angeles, Silicon Valley and the Bay Area, but will completely bypass Contra Costa County. Though the law, which was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom Friday, does not apply, “that doesn’t mean the goals of providing more housing, especially near transit, will not be achieved,” said John Kopchik, director of the county’s Conservation & Development Department….