San Jose Criminalizes Homeless Refusal Of Shelter Under Trespassing Law

In San Jose, the City Council has adopted stringent policies targeting homelessness, including a ban on renting RVs to homeless individuals and criminalizing those who refuse three offers of shelter by making them subject to trespassing laws and potential arrest. Mayor Matt Mahan emphasized the availability of shelter and interim housing, framing stable shelter as essential to addressing mental illness, addiction, and unemployment among the homeless population. However, some council members, such as Pamela Campos and Peter Ortiz, expressed concerns about police discretion, civil liberties, and the risk of effectively criminalizing homelessness. Meanwhile, California faces severe budget cuts with Governor Gavin Newsom proposing to eliminate the state’s primary homelessness funding program, the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention program (HHAP), which supports temporary shelters and affordable housing. This proposed defunding has raised alarm among city leaders like San Jose Mayor Mahan and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, who warn that thousands could return to the streets and that recent progress in reducing homelessness may be undone. The budget crisis underscores tensions between enforcement-focused local policies and the diminishing financial resources to provide adequate shelter and services for the unhoused.