San Jose Approves Controversial Homelessness Shelter Ordinance Amid Regional Housing Crisis

San Jose is grappling with its homelessness crisis through contentious policy measures and budget reallocations. The city council approved the "Responsibility to Shelter" ordinance, which requires unhoused residents to accept shelter offers, with penalties including citations and potential arrests for repeated refusals, a move supported by Mayor Matt Mahan and local unions but criticized as punitive by advocates. Concurrently, San Jose’s $5.5 billion budget for 2025-26 includes reallocating funds from permanent affordable housing to temporary shelters, amid a growing fiscal shortfall. Discussions at local events have highlighted the failures of punitive approaches and the need for affordable housing and basic assistance to prevent homelessness. Meanwhile, a regional poll in San Diego County indicates that homelessness, alongside the cost of living, remains a major concern, with a majority of residents believing more action is needed. These developments underscore the complex challenges California cities face in addressing homelessness amid political, financial, and social pressures.