San José Clears Columbus Park Encampment, Offers housing Alternatives
San José, California, began dismantling a large homeless encampment at Columbus Park on Monday, August 18, 2025, initiating a carefully planned operation to relocate residents to temporary and longer-term housing solutions. The move follows over two months of direct outreach to individuals living in the park, according to city officials.
A Multi-Phased Approach to Homelessness
City workers provided park residents with offers of temporary lodging in motel rooms, with approximately 42 spaces instantly available. Mayor Matt Mahan announced plans to expand capacity rapidly, anticipating nearly 400 additional spaces will be operational within a month. These spaces will take the form of tiny home villages and designated safe camping sites,supplementing an existing safe parking area for people living in RVs in the Berryessa neighborhood.
The city also presented a unique incentive: a $2,000 buyback offer for RVs,contingent upon residents accepting temporary shelter in a hotel or managed site. This initiative aims to remove vehicles from the park while providing immediate housing assistance.
Did You Know? The number of people experiencing homelessness in Santa clara County, where San José is located, has increased significantly in recent years, highlighting the urgency of finding sustainable solutions.
The Operation Unfolds: challenges and Reactions
The clearing of Columbus Park is part of a broader strategy to address encampments near the San José International Airport, where federal aviation regulations restrict where people can camp. Previous attempts to relocate residents have often resulted in displacement to other areas of the park, rather than permanent housing.
While some residents welcomed the possibility for shelter,others faced confusion and frustration. Emily V., a 33-year-old resident of Columbus Park for about a year, expressed relief at the prospect of a hotel room, stating, ”Yeah, of course. I am looking forward to being able to be in a hotel. I mean, nobody really wants to camp forever, you know? It’s just one of those things that happens to you. Life happens to everybody.”
However, Fernando Alcantara experienced a different outcome. Despite preparing to leave with his trailer, city crews dismantled it before he could retrieve his belongings, including identification and money.City workers later acknowledged that Alcantara had not been offered shelter and pledged to connect him with available resources.
Concerns and Criticisms
Shaunn cartwright, a local advocate for unhoused individuals, criticized the city’s communication strategy, asserting that many residents lacked clear details about available options and deadlines. She argued that the lack of transparency fueled confusion and panic. “The city intentionally left everybody in the dark here. And then it made it where it was so much easier for rumors to start,” Cartwright told KQED.
Pro Tip: Advocates emphasize the importance of trauma-informed care when assisting individuals experiencing homelessness, recognizing the unique challenges they face.
Erik Soliván, San José’s director of housing, acknowledged the “dynamic” nature of the situation and the difficulty of reaching all 370 estimated residents of the park. He affirmed the city’s commitment to providing shelter and services to as many people as possible.
Looking Ahead: Park Renovations and Long-Term Solutions
Mayor Mahan defended the operation as a necessary step toward ending unsheltered homelessness in San José. “We have to end unsheltered homelessness. We cannot, in a modern city, have thousands of people living in unmanaged conditions all over the city with trash and fires and crime. So we’ve got to get people indoors,” he stated. He acknowledged potential challenges but maintained that providing shelter is preferable to the existing conditions.
Following the cleanup, the city plans to renovate Columbus Park, adding new soccer fields, pickleball and basketball courts, and spaces for futsal and horseshoes.This investment aims to revitalize the park as a community space.
| phase | timeline | Actions | Estimated Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Clearance | August 18, 2025 | removal of encampment residents | 42 motel rooms available |
| Interim Housing Expansion | Within 1 month | Construction of tiny homes & safe camping sites | ~400 spaces |
| Park Renovations | Following Clearance | Construction of new recreational facilities | N/A |
What are the long-term implications of these encampment clearances for the homeless population of San José? how can the city ensure that these efforts led to sustainable housing solutions?
Homelessness in San José and across California remains a complex issue driven by factors such as high housing costs, income inequality, and mental health challenges. The state has seen a meaningful increase in its unhoused population over the past decade, prompting cities to explore a range of strategies, from temporary shelters to permanent supportive housing. The effectiveness of these approaches is frequently enough debated, with advocates emphasizing the need for comprehensive solutions that address the root causes of homelessness. according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), approximately 582,462 people experienced homelessness in the United States in January 2023 [[1]].
Frequently asked questions about the columbus Park Encampment Clearance
- what is the city doing to help people who were living at Columbus Park? The city is offering temporary shelter in motel rooms, building tiny home villages, and providing a buyback program for RVs.
- How many people were living at Columbus Park? City officials estimated the population at approximately 370 people last weekend.
- What is the timeline for the completion of the new housing options? Approximately 400 spaces are expected to be ready within a month, with additional spaces available by the end of the year.
- Why is the city clearing the encampment near the airport? Federal aviation regulations restrict camping in the area due to safety concerns.
- What are advocates saying about the city’s approach? Some advocates criticize the lack of clear communication and the prioritization of temporary housing over permanent solutions.
We hope this report provides valuable insight into the ongoing efforts to address homelessness in San José. We encourage you to share this article with your network, leave a comment with your thoughts, and subscribe to our newsletter for more in-depth coverage of critically important local issues.
