San Jose mayor proposes criminalizing homeless refusal of shelter, aims to order treatment

(The Center Square) – San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan proposed making it a crime to refuse shelter three times within 18 months, with the goal of using the court system to push service-resistant homeless individuals into care.

“Homelessness can’t be a choice, especially when over 200 people die on the streets each year,” said Mahan in a recent video statement. “Especially when we’re offering a safe, private, dignified alternative.”

“I am proposing that after three offers of shelter, we hold people accountable for turning their lives around,” continued Mahan. “Because we all have a responsibility to end this crisis – government has a responsibility to build shelter, and our homeless neighbors have a responsibility to use it.”…

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