SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) — Within the South Bay, the mayor of San Jose is stepping up efforts to get homeless folks off the streets. He’s now proposing that those that refuse assist or provides of housing might be arrested.
Mayor Matt Mahan has been pushing arduous to scale back or eradicate homelessness on metropolis streets. Now, Mahan is proposing to criminally cost individuals who repeatedly refuse assist.
“Responsibility is a two-way street,” mentioned Mayor Matt Mahan in a press launch. “We’re holding ourselves responsible for doubling our supply of safe, dignified places for people to go — it’s time we held our homeless neighbors responsible for coming indoors. Because in San Jose, homelessness should never be a choice.”
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Current metropolis knowledge signifies that one in three homeless residents are refusing interim housing — non-public rooms with bogs that look — when provided.
“I’m proposing that after three offers of shelter, we hold people accountable for turning their lives around,” Mahan mentioned at a information convention Thursday.
The mayor mentioned that in his upcoming price range message, he’ll ask town council to think about requiring unhoused residents to just accept help from town or face potential authorized penalties in the event that they repeatedly deny assist.
The mayor is looking it the “Responsibility to Shelter” initiative. He mentioned town ought to do every part it may to get folks into housing. In the event that they refuse, legislation enforcement could must step in.
“After three refusals of shelter and housing after a short time — call it three months — we will press charges for trespassing and do everything in our power to get you into the behavioral health court system,” Mahan mentioned. “To get whatever help you need to be able to get off the streets and turn your life around.”
The proposal is one in all many efforts the mayor is pushing to attempt to scale back homelessness. The town is at present increasing shelter capability, constructing momentary housing, attempting to attach the homeless with household and pals, and inspiring these residing in RV to maneuver from metropolis streets to extra everlasting areas.
In response to the mayor’s workplace, roughly 200 unhoused residents die open air in Santa Clara County yearly.
Mayor Mahan plans to launch his full proposed price range subsequent week.
