Homelessness is not receding in our district, our city, our county, or state. Many people think it’s actually getting worse.
Why? Because our current interim housing model for addressing homelessness is, in many ways, just a long list of intermittent, disconnected, small-scale efforts (Watson Park, tiny homes, RV parks). They’re just not broad enough, not cost-effective enough, and not bold enough to make a dent in the crisis at scale and with speed.
This is why it’s time–well past time–for large-scale community shelters (capable of addressing the needs of thousands) to become a key component of our homeless strategy.
I have been advocating for these types of shelters since I ran last time against Omar. They are quick-build, large shelters that can:
- House up to 1,000 of our homeless neighbors each;
- Be located in sites already identified across the county and city;
- Can deliver a dignified, safe home for our unsheltered community without causing undue concerns for nearby neighborhoods;
- And all at a fraction of the cost of tiny homes.
This means we could, conceivably, cut our street unsheltered person count by a sizable percentage in less than a year.
And more important, these shelters can provide the first steps out of creekside living for large numbers of our neighbors:
- job training and helping them find a job
- access to mental health and substance abuse services
- facilitating moves into permanent housing.
We already have convincing proof-of-concept of this approach in SJ, with the Salvation Army and CityTeam community shelters. Both of these exceptional organizations have been running shelters for the homeless (serving about 100 each) and have successfully housed and transitioned their clients into better, more permanent housing arrangements. (See photos of Salvation Army and CityTeam bunk-beds below.)
To their great credit, Councilmembers Doan and Batra were the first electeds in SJ to advocate for these types of large-scale solutions with their SJLUV large homeless shelters plan in 2024.
Sadly, no other office in City Hall–not a one–supported their effort, and it stalled.
I am aligned with CM Doan, and am committed to moving this effort forward.
Let’s break out of City Hall’s status quo, bureaucratic mindset. Let’s move fast. Let’s think big.
But mostly: let’s make change together.
Irene
Campaign update:
Saturday 2/1 Japantown Mariani Community Center at 5:30pm
540 Manzana Place
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Irene Smith for San José City Council D3 2025, FPPC# 1477385