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San Jose Begins Clearing Largest Homeless Encampment at Columbus Park

Officials promise hundreds of shelter spaces within weeks despite only a few dozen rooms ready on day one.

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Overview

  • City crews launched a phased sweep Monday affecting roughly 370 residents and about 120 lived-in vehicles, with the site set to become a no-encampment zone before park restoration.
  • Police confirmed a man's body was discovered in an RV during the operation, and the cause of death remains under investigation.
  • Only about 42 motel rooms were available at the start, with one of five motel conversions now open and a Taylor Street safe-sleeping site expected to help bring nearly 400 spaces online within a month.
  • The city is offering a $2,000 RV buyback; tagged vehicles accepted into housing can remain temporarily, in many cases until Sept. 5, while those refusing shelter face removal and towing.
  • Officials say 68% of residents have accepted offers; timelines for the cleanup range from about eight weeks to an end-of-October finish as San Jose moves toward adding roughly 1,000 new beds this year.