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San Jose Council to Vote on ‘Responsibility to Shelter’ Homelessness Ordinance

It imposes penalties on homeless individuals who refuse shelter three times in 18 months, launching outreach units with hotels converted into transitional housing.

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

  • The City Council is set to vote today on the “Responsibility to Shelter” ordinance, which would allow citations for two shelter refusals and arrests after a third within an 18-month period.
  • The plan authorizes a dedicated police unit to enforce the policy and expands outreach efforts ahead of the 5 p.m. council hearing.
  • Mayor Matt Mahan frames the initiative as a public safety measure aimed at improving deteriorating living conditions outdoors.
  • Support from police and fire unions highlights concerns over outdoor fires and repeated service calls, and Vice Mayor Pam Foley has called universal shelter access unacceptable.
  • Homeless advocates warn the city lacks sufficient shelter beds and argue the ordinance risks criminalizing unhoused residents without boosting capacity.