San José Mayor Matt Mahan's preliminary budget plan has gained city council approval and introduces controversial measures regarding homelessness and city pay structures. Notably, Mahan's "Responsibility to Shelter" initiative plans to link council and mayoral pay raises to metrics of performance by 2026. A significant funding shift towards interim housing is also proposed, while the city reinforces no-encampment zones near new shelters. Mahan argues these measures will foster community trust and achieve measurable improvements in tackling homelessness and safety.
"We will not be able to maintain the trust of our community and continue to spend tens of millions of dollars a year to invest in interim housing ... if we cannot prove to [residents] that it allows us to resolve the homeless encampments that have caused so much harm to the broader community."
"If approved by voters, the Salary Setting Commission would align raises (beyond the cost of living) to the city's progress on council-approved goals, such as reducing homelessness and crime."
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