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San Jose Council to Vote on 'Responsibility to Shelter' Detention Plan

Backed by police and fire unions, the measure triggers criticism from homeless advocates over limited shelter space.

FILE - San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, right, discusses California Gov. Gavin Newsom's, left, proposal to build 1,200 small homes across the state to reduce homelessness, during the first of a four-day tour of the state in Sacramento Calif., Thursday, March 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)
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Overview

  • City Council is set to vote June 10 on Mayor Matt Mahan’s 'Responsibility to Shelter' proposal, which would permit officers to cite, arrest or hospitalize individuals who decline shelter three times over 18 months.
  • The plan calls for expanded outreach services and establishes a dedicated six-officer quality-of-life police unit to ensure compliance and address encampment issues.
  • City officials highlight that outreach workers and officers will have discretion and that no one will face penalties when shelter beds are unavailable or unsuitable.
  • Homeless advocates and county supervisors criticize the proposal as punitive and inhumane, noting San Jose’s roughly 1,400 shelter spots and plans to add 800 more by year-end.
  • The debate draws on state-level shifts after a 2023 Supreme Court decision and Governor Gavin Newsom’s model ordinance encouraging local encampment bans.