For the One-Day Homeless Count on Jan. 31, 2019, 1,512 individuals were counted as homeless in San Mateo County, an uptick over past years due to the increased number of people living in RVs. Every two years, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires the point-in-time count to gain insight into demographics, household composition, duration of homelessness and services needed. The results of this year’s count demonstrate how the housing market continues to challenge many in the community and contributes to the risks of housing instability and homelessness. LEARN MORE

San Mateo County's Property Assessment Roll increased year-over-year by $15.9 billion, or 7.1 percent, to a record high of over $238.4 billion in assessed value, according to San Mateo County Assessor Mark Church. The 2019-20 Property Assessment Roll reflects overall growth throughout the county. The top five cities with the highest percentage growth in Assessed Values are Menlo Park, Foster City, South San Francisco, Brisbane, and San Mateo. LEARN MORE

Following detection of two male peach fruit flies (PFF) in the city of Palo Alto, staff with the San Mateo County and Santa Clara County Agricultural Commissioners’ offices will place insect detection traps within a 4.5-mile radius including into Menlo Park and East Palo Alto to determine the extent of the infestation. Eradication treatments will being this July in hopes of stopping the flies before they become established. PFF, which is widespread through much of mainland southern Asia and neighboring islands, is known to attack more than 50 types of fruits and vegetables. LEARN MORE

To reduce the threat of wildfire to neighboring communities, the San Mateo County Parks Department is collaborating with Cal Fire to treat a total of 170 acres of vegetation and create shaded fuel breaks throughout Quarry Park and Huddart Park this summer. The project is part of the Emergency Proclamation issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom, which directed Cal Fire to immediately implement projects that were systematically identified as high priority fuels reduction projects to protect over 200 of California's most wildfire-vulnerable communities. LEARN MORE