The drastically altered version of the bill (SB 16) introduced by San Diego State Senator Catherine Blakespear passed the Senate’s housing committee last week.

Frustrated, Blakespear rewrote the bill this week, killing the financial mandate on counties. It now, instead, calls for the state’s housing department to work with local government to create a financial plan to end chronic homelessness in 10 years instead of sharing financially. That was a big twist in the original bill prepared by Blakespear.

Originally, Blakespear introduced her bill, SB 16 — to create a real, statewide model of shared responsibility in solving homelessness – but was met with stiff opposition from her peers in the legislature. She was backed up by San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan who personally went to Sacramento and stayed alongside with Blakespear but Mayor Mahan’s enthusiasm was likewise repelled.

SB 16 is a bold piece of legislation — one that would have made sure every level of government does its fair share to address homelessness. Apparently, the state refused to share in the expenses being proposed by Blakespear and Mahan in solving homelessness in the city level.

Her colleagues in Sacramento put it on hold and demanded further study which is delaying the urgent move to solve the perennial problem of homelessness in California cities, especially in the cities of San Jose, San Diego, Fremont, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

Mayor Matt Mahan, who is teaming up with Sen. Blakespear, was frustrated with Sacramento legislators when they gutted the bill. Mahan and Blakespearsaid the bill were needed to operate more shelters with the necessary case management and treatment services.

Mahan said: “Instead, Sacramento insiders watered the bill down to yet another study. Another layer of analysis while people continue to suffer on the streets, families continue to pay the price, and taxpayers continue to watch billions spent with too little to show for it.”

So, Blakespear, frustrated, rewrote the bill last week, killing the financial mandate on counties. It now, instead, calls for the state’s housing department to work with local government to create a financial plan to end chronic homelessness in 10 years instead of sharing financially.

Okay, while some in Sacramento were strategizing how to create less change, San Jose was moving forward with more. Mayor Mahan, in his Dear Neighbor letter to his constituents said: “We celebrated the opening of Via del Oro — our newest interim housing community — and broke ground at Taylor Street, our first safe sleeping site. These projects are more than just beds — they are proof that when we are laser-focused on achievable outcomes (such as providing a safe, dignified bed for every person on our streets), we can deliver real results.”

Mayor Mahan further explained that, “Via del Oro was built in less than one year on privately-owned land, at a lower cost than past interim housing sites, and will be more affordable to operate than any site we’ve opened yet. Already, over 70 people have moved in with access to case management and supportive services. Meanwhile, Taylor Street will open this summer, offering 56 placements with basic necessities like security, sanitation, and access to case management, with a focus on quickly moving people into longer-term solutions.”

Together with other new sites that opened this year like Branham Lane and Berryessa Safe Parking, “…these projects are moving us toward our bold goal of opening 1,000 new safe, dignified placements by the end of 2025 — giving real alternatives to our unhoused neighbors and real relief to neighborhoods across the city.”

Mayor Mahan realized, however, that getting people indoors is only part of the solution. “We’re also committed to reclaiming our public spaces for community use. At Columbus Park, once a hub for youth sports and families, unmanaged encampments and rising 911 calls have made it unsafe for everyone. That’s why we’re moving forward with a plan to decommission the encampment and break ground on a revitalized park — with new soccer fields, a playground, shaded paseos, and courts for pickleball, futsal, and basketball. By late 2027, Columbus Park will once again be a place for San José families to gather, play, and take pride in their city,” Mahan explained.