San Jose City leaders are taking a more aggressive approach to tackling homelessness by proposing a new law banning homeless encampments and vehicle dwellings near schools, yet the move has sparked a debate between advocates for the homeless and concerned community members.
On August 3, 2023, Mayor Matt Mahan and Councilmember Peter Ortiz proposed an ordinance that would prohibit homeless encampments and vehicle dwellings within 150 feet of schools, preschools, and daycares in the city as reported by San Jose Spotlight. This proposal comes after a set of informal guidelines established in 2021, which have not been strictly enforced. By codifying these rules into law, law enforcement is expected to have more latitude in addressing this issue.
The proposal is met with both support and opposition. KIPP San Jose Collegiate students believe that the move is necessary due to concerns about safety, as issues such as theft and harassment have affected the school community as per NBC Bay Area. On the other hand, the Silicon Valley Law Foundation argues that this approach is misguided and fails to address the root cause of homelessness while risking violating the legal rights of unhoused individuals as stated in the Mercury News.
Mayor Matt Mahan claims that recent efforts to create interim housing options, including tiny-home shelters and safe parking sites, justify the stricter rules on encampments and unsanctioned vehicle dwellings. Despite political debates over funding, Mahan aims to create 1,000 new interim housing spots by the end of the year. Furthermore, in June, councilmembers approved a lease for a nearly $19 million safe parking site in the Berryessa neighborhood.
Councilmember Ortiz may generally support progressive policies but agrees with the mayor on the proposed law. Ortiz argues that students should feel safe while going to and from school and that the issue transcends political ideology as per San Jose Spotlight. The proposed ordinance will be considered by the city's rules committee next week and is projected to take three to four months before coming to the city council for a vote.
