As business owners on Lincoln Avenue, we have witnessed firsthand the challenges that the homelessness crisis poses — not only to our community but to the very fabric of San Jose itself. Each day, we see the struggles of our unhoused neighbors, and we feel the impact on our businesses, our customers and our community’s spirit.
The time has come for a new approach, and we wholeheartedly support Mayor Matt Mahan’s recent proposals aimed at addressing this long-standing challenge.
Mayor Mahan’s “Responsibility to Shelter” proposal is a necessary and pragmatic step toward addressing homelessness in a way that balances compassion with accountability. His proposal would levy misdemeanor charges for individuals who refuse shelter or housing three times within an 18-month period. This policy has been mischaracterized as “criminalization” by some but is a balance between supporting people where they are, while accelerating their transition from the streets to shelter.
As the Mayor recently stated, this policy strikes a middle ground between completely banning encampments and maintaining the current situation. As business owners, we witness firsthand that maintaining the status quo isn’t working and the strain it places on small businesses and residents. Enforcing shelter acceptance will help reduce street homelessness and safeguard our community from the negative impacts of its expansion — theft, property damage, open-air drug use and loitering — which have become far too common. Most importantly, it will help connect those in need with the essential services and support available to them.
The presence of unhoused individuals in our business districts affects foot traffic, customer perceptions and ultimately, our local economy. Mayor Mahan’s policy reflects a long-overdue shift in thinking — San Jose must prioritize both the needs of the unhoused and the well-being of its broader community. Residents deserve clean, safe, and drug-free public spaces where businesses and residents do not bear the burden of failed policies.
Rather than waiting for failed policies and lack of investment to self-correct, Mayor Mahan is calling for stronger collaboration between the city, county and state. His budget message urges Santa Clara County to increase its investment in mental health and substance treatment services, recognizing that homelessness is not just a housing issue — it is deeply tied to mental health and substance use disorders.
The situation is serious. Santa Clara County data indicates that 26% of unhoused individuals report chronic alcohol and drug abuse, and 31% report psychiatric or emotional conditions. In 2024, 197 people died while homeless, representing an 185% increase over the last decade. (Sixty-nine people died while homeless in 2014.)
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The status quo is neither compassionate nor sustainable. If we fail to enforce shelter acceptance, we are effectively sanctioning the continued suffering of those who are homeless while ignoring the serious consequences for residents, businesses and public spaces.
We commend Mayor Mahan for his courage to confront the homelessness crisis head on. His “Responsibility to Shelter” initiative is not about criminalizing the unhoused — it is about ensuring public resources are used effectively, protecting San Jose’s future and restoring both dignity and order to our city.
Together, we can build a brighter, safer, and more livable San Jose for all — one that reflects both the values of our community and the common sense to change course in the face of repeated failure.
Michael Van Every is president and managing partner of Republic Urban Properties. Steve Wymer is the owner of 20Twenty Cheese Bar. William B. Baron is a managing partner of Brandenburg Properties. All three are members of the Willow Glen Business Association.
