State bill could put Silicon Valley homeless shelters under scrutiny - San Jose Spotlight

"Assembly Bill 750 aims to provide more oversight of homeless shelters across the state by requiring local governments to inspect facilities and produce yearly reports on their conditions. The bill, introduced by Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva, could also see California withhold funding if cities and counties fail to follow the rules. AB 750 has passed the Assembly and is waiting for review in the state Senate."

"Santa Clara County homeless shelters have been rife with violence, theft, mistreatment of residents by workers and unsanitary living conditions for years, according to advocates and residents living in shelters. "I think it's a good idea to (require regular inspections and reports), because then maybe it will allow (operators) to start doing more assessments that are needed," formerly homeless resident Keanna Ward, who lived in a shelter, told San José Spotlight."

"AB 750 requires inspections and yearly reports regardless of if a complaint has been received. Neither Santa Clara County nor San Jose - where most local homeless shelters are located - have filed any yearly reports, based on a 2024 CalMatters investigation. County and city representatives previously told San José Spotlight they either did not receive shelter complaints or that received complaints were unfounded, therefore relieving them from filing yearly reports."

AB 750 would require local governments to inspect homeless shelters and produce yearly reports on shelter conditions regardless of whether complaints are filed, and could allow the state to withhold funding from jurisdictions that do not comply. The measure strengthens a 2021 law that only mandated inspections and reports when complaints were received. Santa Clara County shelters have faced violence, theft, staff mistreatment and unsanitary conditions, and county and San Jose officials have not filed required yearly reports. Some officials said they received no complaints or found complaints unfounded. A formerly homeless resident reported discriminatory treatment by a shelter case manager.

Read at San Jose Spotlight