“Homelessness can’t be a choice.” Those are the words of San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who put forth the Responsibility to Shelter Initiative. This new provision can put homeless people behind bars if they refuse shelter.
City council shapes new homelessness provision
On Tuesday, the San Jose City Council voted 9-2 to change the city’s code of conduct. Moving forward, a person experiencing homelessness can be arrested for trespassing if they refuse shelter three times within 18 months. In reaction to the passage, Mahan posted on X, “It won’t end the crisis, but it’ll give us a real shot at helping those the status quo leaves behind.”…