A new ordinance that would ban unhoused encampments near 295 miles of waterways in Santa Clara County is being pushed by Valley Water. Officials said the encampments cause environmental harm, and are a quality of life issue for residents, but San Jose's mayor says any such legislation needs to include solutions to house the homeless.
San Jose officials will need to scour the upcoming budget to find additional funding for 200 tiny homes slated to be put on the VTA North San Jose site, this after Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state will send money, but not pre-constructed units to multiple cities around the state.
City officials said a crisis declaration would streamline current policies and procedures to shorten the time it takes to build interim housing or safe parking and sleeping sites, from years to months.
Santa Clara County emergency officials say warming centers will be available until 9 p.m. at various locations. Still, homeless advocates are concerned that won’t be enough.