As San Jose sweeps its last large homeless encampment known as “the Jungle,” some residents say the city has reneged on its promises of housing.
City officials claimed they had shelter beds for all 109 residents who originally lived at the East San Jose homeless camp across from Happy Hollow Park and Zoo. Camp residents tell a different story. While people who received housing said they’re grateful to have shelter, they don’t want to leave their friends at the Jungle.
Maria Vargas, 55, said she’s spent eight years at the Jungle. She’s been in contact with outreach workers from People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) — the nonprofit in charge of outreach at the encampment — for several years. When the city announced it was going to clear the camp in March, she was scared of having her life upended, but PATH workers reassured her she was on the housing list.
As the sweep began April 15, her fears were realized — a PATH worker told her they didn’t have housing for her…