San Jose Mayor vs. County: The Battle Over How to Tackle Homelessness

A heated battle is unfolding in San Jose over how to handle the city’s growing homelessness crisis. Mayor Matt Mahan wants to take a tougher stance by cracking down on encampments, but Santa Clara County officials argue that his plan does more harm than good. The two sides are locked in a debate that’s leaving residents, businesses, and, most importantly, the city’s unhoused population wondering what happens next.

Mayor Mahan: “We Can’t Keep Letting This Happen”

Mayor Matt Mahan ran for office on a promise to address homelessness, and now he’s pushing forward with an aggressive plan to clean up encampments and reclaim public spaces. His argument? San Jose can’t wait any longer. Residents and business owners are frustrated by the growing number of makeshift shelters in parks, sidewalks, and near schools.

“We can’t just stand by and let our city fall apart,” Mahan said at a recent press conference. “We need to act now—not just to help people experiencing homelessness but to make sure San Jose remains a safe, clean, and livable city for everyone.”

Mahan’s approach includes clearing encampments and offering temporary shelter options. He insists that this isn’t about punishing the homeless but about ensuring public spaces remain safe while also encouraging people to seek help.

County Officials Push Back: “This Isn’t a Real Solution”

Not everyone is on board. Santa Clara County officials, led by Supervisor Cindy Chavez, believe that the mayor’s plan is shortsighted. They argue that simply removing encampments without providing stable, long-term housing options will only push the problem to another part of the city.

“You can’t solve homelessness by just making people disappear,” Chavez said. “Where are they supposed to go? Until we address affordable housing, mental health services, and addiction treatment, we’re just moving people around—not actually helping them.”

County leaders fear that a crackdown could make things even worse by forcing unhoused individuals into more dangerous situations. Many shelters in San Jose are already at full capacity, and the city’s affordable housing crisis means most people simply don’t have another option.

Homeless Advocates: “This Will Just Make Life Harder”

For people working directly with the homeless community, the mayor’s plan feels like a step in the wrong direction. Advocates argue that while clearing encampments might make the city look better in the short term, it does nothing to address why people are homeless in the first place.

“The reality is, people don’t choose to live on the streets,” said one local advocate. “They’re out there because they have nowhere else to go. Kicking them out of encampments just adds stress and trauma to an already impossible situation.”

Advocacy groups are calling for a “housing-first” approach, which prioritizes getting people into stable, permanent housing before tackling other issues like mental health or employment. They warn that enforcement-heavy strategies have been tried before—and they rarely lead to lasting change.

Residents Caught in the Middle

For the people living in San Jose, this debate isn’t just politics—it’s personal.

Many residents near large encampments are frustrated. They’re worried about crime, sanitation, and safety. Some business owners say that customers are avoiding their stores because of nearby encampments.

“I feel for people living on the streets, I really do,” said one resident. “But I also feel for my kids when I have to walk them past a tent city just to get to school. We need a real solution.”

On the other hand, there’s a lot of sympathy for those who are being forced out of their makeshift homes. Many in the community worry that without real housing options, the problem is just being swept under the rug.

What Happens Next?

Right now, neither side is backing down. Mayor Mahan is moving forward with his plan, while county officials are calling for more investment in housing and services before any major enforcement begins. If they can’t find common ground, this debate could turn into a legal fight—or even draw attention from the state government.

One thing is certain: San Jose’s homelessness crisis isn’t going away anytime soon. Without a plan that balances both enforcement and long-term solutions, the city risks going in circles—clearing encampments only to watch new ones pop up elsewhere.

For now, unhoused individuals, frustrated residents, and struggling business owners are left waiting to see what happens next. Will the city find a way to truly solve this crisis? Or will it just keep moving the problem from one street to another?