At the PolitiBeat festival in San Jose, discussions centered on pressing issues like homelessness and political shifts due to Trump's potential second term. Experts highlighted the challenges of an increasing older population and transportation needs, while the festival also celebrated local businesses. Law Foundation's Trista Bauman criticized the 'Responsibility to Shelter' initiative as ineffective, while San Jose Housing Director Erik Soliván noted efforts towards shelter and affordable housing. Former Controller Betty Yee emphasized providing timely financial assistance to prevent homelessness as a crucial strategy.
"It's an example of a punitive approach to homelessness that has failed and will fail - and that is well documented. It is a poor public policy choice that is made for political reasons," Bauman said. "It is harmful, expensive and ineffective."
"We're bringing on more and more investments into both shelter expansion as well as affordable housing," Soliván said.
"If we're actually able to help a family with a month's rent if they fall behind than actually seeing them fall into the spiral of homelessness - just that basic kind of assistance at that point in time, you could really"
Collection
[
|
...
]