A new city-commissioned data model in San Jose estimates that unsheltered homelessness has dropped by 30% over an 18-month period. Housing Director Erik Solivan shared with council members that data produced by UrbanLogiq an AI-powered platform analyzing over a dozen metrics including emergency responses and outreach data showed a decline from 5,477 to 3,702 unsheltered individuals between February 2025 and August. Mayor Matt Mahan has championed this rapid expansion of temporary housing options, such as tiny homes and motels, as the primary driver behind getting residents off the streets.
Skepticism from County Officials and Advocates:
Despite the optimistic city figures, critics and county officials have raised questions regarding the model’s validity. The Santa Clara County Office of Supportive Housing stated they had not reviewed the methodology and noted that countywide data still reflects high inflows, with nearly 3,000 households becoming homeless last year. Additionally, local unhoused advocates argued that they have not witnessed a noticeable decrease in people living in tents or vehicles, asserting that many individuals struggle to stay stably housed after brief stints in temporary shelters.
Official Counts and Future Outlook:
While San Jose’s internal reports show progress in meeting shelter unit goals, maintaining no-encampment zones has proven challenging for city crews. Mayor Mahan defended the new data model by pointing out that the federally mandated point-in-time count slated for early 2027 happens only every two years and often results in an undercount. As San Jose continues to redirect funding toward temporary shelter networks, city leaders maintain that proactive, localized data tools are essential for tracking progress and addressing the housing crisis.
