With San Jose unable to expand its shelter system, its focus shifts to making it more efficient

"The Cerone interim housing site, which construction crews broke ground on in May, will provide 162 units and serve up to 200 residents at one time. It is also the last project in the city's interim housing pipeline, which has added more than 1,200 new beds to San Jose's shelter system since February last year, bringing its overall total to more than 2,000."

"We will continue to advocate to other levels of government for what we need: an expansion of mental health beds, a restoration of (Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention) dollars, a pathway to treatment for the many people struggling with addiction (and) a fair share approach that holds every city and every county accountable for doing their part to end this crisis of homelessness, Mahan said."

"Over the past few years, San Jose has deviated from the Housing First model by investing more money into interim housing options as an alternative to living on the streets. Along with tiny home communities, the city also opened two safe parking sites, a safe sleeping area, and converted several hotels and motels into temporary housing. Although the overall homeless population has increased to around 6,500 residents, recent investments in shelter expansion helped reduce the number of unsheltered residents, Mahan said."

San Jose will open a 162-unit emergency interim housing site at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority's Cerone Yard to serve up to 200 residents, completing the city's interim housing pipeline. The pipeline added more than 1,200 beds since February last year, bringing the shelter system total to over 2,000 beds. City officials say rising costs prevent further expansion, so focus will shift to improving efficiency and rebidding contracts to lower costs. Mayor Matt Mahan expects costs to drop about 20% and more residents to find permanent housing as the city connects people to services and advocates for more mental-health beds, restored HHAP funding, and treatment pathways.

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