San Jose to Clear Large Homeless Encampment
What happened
The city of San Jose plans to dismantle Coyote Meadows, one of its last large homeless encampments, by mid-April. Officials will offer resources and alternative housing options to residents of the encampment, which is located on city-owned land. The site has been a long-standing concern for the city.
Why it matters
- The Coyote Meadows encampment is located on a site previously known as "The Jungle," which was once considered one of the largest homeless encampments in the United States before it was cleared in 2014. - The clearing is part of a larger effort to address environmental concerns along Coyote Creek, as the city is required to reduce pollutants in the waterway to comply with its stormwater permit. - City staff are conducting a 50-day outreach effort to the encampment's approximately 100 residents, offering connections to interim housing and other social services. Notices are being provided in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. - The recent opening of the Cerone Interim Housing site is expected to provide some of the additional capacity for those being relocated from Coyote Meadows. - Following the clearing, the area will be designated a permanent "No Encampment Zone" to prevent resettlement. - A coalition of community groups, including Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful, has been advocating for the transformation of the 50-acre Coyote Meadows area into a public park with trails to connect surrounding neighborhoods and parkland. - San Jose's broader strategy for homelessness involves a significant budget allocation, including the redirection of funds from Measure E, a real estate transfer tax, towards interim housing solutions. - Non-profit organizations like HomeFirst are actively involved in providing outreach and case management to individuals experiencing homelessness along Coyote Creek.
Key numbers
- - The Coyote Meadows encampment is located on a site previously known as "The Jungle," which was once considered one of the largest homeless encampments in the United States before it was cleared in 2014.
- City staff are conducting a 50-day outreach effort to the encampment's approximately 100 residents, offering connections to interim housing and other social services.
- A coalition of community groups, including Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful, has been advocating for the transformation of the 50-acre Coyote Meadows area into a public park with trails to connect surrounding neighborhoods and parkland.
What happens next
- The recent opening of the Cerone Interim Housing site is expected to provide some of the additional capacity for those being relocated from Coyote Meadows.
- Following the clearing, the area will be designated a permanent "No Encampment Zone" to prevent resettlement.
- The city of San Jose plans to dismantle Coyote Meadows, one of its last large homeless encampments, by mid-April.
Quick answers
What happened in San Jose to Clear Large Homeless Encampment?
The city of San Jose plans to dismantle Coyote Meadows, one of its last large homeless encampments, by mid-April. Officials will offer resources and alternative housing options to residents of the encampment, which is located on city-owned land. The site has been a long-standing concern for the city.
Why does San Jose to Clear Large Homeless Encampment matter?
The Coyote Meadows encampment is located on a site previously known as "The Jungle," which was once considered one of the largest homeless encampments in the United States before it was cleared in 2014. The clearing is part of a larger effort to address environmental concerns along Coyote Creek, as the city is required to reduce pollutants in the waterway to comply with its stormwater permit. City staff are conducting a 50-day outreach effort to the encampment's approximately 100 residents, offering connections to interim housing and other social services. Notices are being provided in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. The recent opening of the Cerone Interim Housing site is expected to provide some of the additional capacity for those being relocated from Coyote Meadows. Following the clearing, the area will be designated a permanent "No Encampment Zone" to prevent resettlement. A coalition of community groups, including Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful, has been advocating for the transformation of the 50-acre Coyote Meadows area into a public park with trails to connect surrounding neighborhoods and parkland. San Jose's broader strategy for homelessness involves a significant budget allocation, including the redirection of funds from Measure E, a real estate transfer tax, towards interim housing solutions. Non-profit organizations like HomeFirst are actively involved in providing outreach and case management to individuals experiencing homelessness along Coyote Creek.
