Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to ban homeless encampments across California, echoing San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s goal to end the era of tents and camps lining city streets, parks and waterways. In Newsom’s proposal announced Monday, he laid out a blueprint for cities to make it illegal to camp on public property for more than...
San Jose activists oppose diverting affordable housing funds
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan opened up the floor to critics of his initiatives to address homelessness Tuesday for the first time since the 2025-26 proposed budget included a reduction of funds prioritized for affordable housing. The property transfer tax known as Measure E was passed by San Jose voters in 2020 to fund permanent...
San Jose police help Valley Water cite, arrest homeless residents
Santa Clara County’s largest water agency can’t cite or arrest homeless people creating pollution or trespassing on its property — but the police unit it contracts with can. It’s part of Valley Water’s Stream Stewardship Law Enforcement program, where San Jose Police Department officers from the street crimes unit go out to homeless encampments along...
San Jose council pushes back on plan to arrest homeless people
Mayor Matt Mahan’s initiative aimed at arresting homeless residents who refuse shelter was at the top of the city’s budget hearing Monday as he highlighted Santa Clara County’s lack of enthusiasm. Police, fire and housing department officials told the San Jose City Council public safety continues to be understaffed as they dedicate more resources toward...
San Jose mayor wants new police unit to arrest homeless people
More details are emerging about San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s plan to arrest or hospitalize homeless people for refusing offers of shelter — and the city could create a police unit to do so. Mahan presented more details about his “Responsibility to Shelter” initiative Thursday, including expanding the city’s in-house homeless outreach efforts and establishing...
Trump’s proposal threatens Silicon Valley housing vouchers
President Donald Trump’s latest attack on housing comes as he proposes major overhauls to rental assistance programs meant to help people from falling into homelessness. In an outline of the Trump administration’s budget request released Friday, the president wants to slash the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by 44%, or $33.5 billion....
Santa Clara County probation vans bring services to homeless residents
Santa Clara County wants to help homeless people on probation avoid extra jail time by bringing legal services to encampments. People on probation are required to attend regular meetings with a probation officer and court hearings. But for homeless people who lack transportation, making these appointments becomes an obstacle, which can lead to longer probation periods...
Santa Clara County expands hotel program for homeless residents
Santa Clara County is expanding its hotel shelter program for North County homeless residents following the delayed opening of a modular housing site in Palo Alto. The county has selected WeHope, a nonprofit homeless service provider, to work with up to 40 unhoused adults who will be temporarily housed at a hotel in Sunnyvale or...
San Jose’s first tiny home village on private land already half full
San Jose’s newest temporary housing site will be a litmus test as to whether using private land to build shelter will be a good model for reducing homelessness. The Via Del Oro tiny home site, which can house up to 150 people and allows pets, opened Thursday. San Francisco-based nonprofit DignityMoves built the homes on...
San Jose’s homelessness plan is game of musical chairs
San Jose has been doubling down on clearing homeless encampments and constructing temporary shelter, though the breakneck speed of the sweeps has left many people displaced. The San Jose City Council received a midyear report on the city’s efforts to address homelessness Tuesday. Officials have been aggressive with plans to clear homeless camps along the...