San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan advocates for enhanced shelter and health treatment options in response to the city's crackdown on homelessness. During a recent City Council discussion, council members called for cooperation with Santa Clara County to support the 'Responsibility to Shelter' initiative, which includes potential police arrests of homeless individuals refusing shelter. With only 3,000 available beds compared to 5,500 unsheltered residents, Mahan emphasizes the need for county resources to address underlying health issues contributing to homelessness. Community relations between the city and county remain strained, necessitating discussions to establish cooperative strategies.
For those who are unable or unwilling to accept (shelter) there's often a more serious underlying behavioral health issue, and that's where we need our partners at the county to lean in.
It will likely take multiple meetings to develop a clear set of expectations, and I am committed to making sure we do what it takes to better serve our community.
Collection
[
|
...
]