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Santa Clara County Unhoused Deaths Down 23% for Second Straight Year

City officials point to expanded shelter programs as the main driver.

Overview

  • The county coroner reports 146 unhoused deaths so far in 2025, down from 200 in 2024, 214 in 2023 and 244 in 2022.
  • San Jose expanded shelter and safe‑parking capacity this year from 910 to 2,029 spaces, with about 200 more slated to open in early 2026.
  • Mayor Matt Mahan credits ramped‑up shelter and supportive services for the improvement and says the goal remains zero deaths.
  • Advocates cite four deaths in four days this month and warn of rising risk with colder, wetter weather, noting no inclement‑weather declaration and recent sweeps that left people without supplies.
  • Community organizers are preparing more than 150 hand‑painted tombstones for a public memorial on Monday at Westminster Presbyterian Church.