San Jose spent $24M on homeless outreach, but some wonder if results justify the cost

SAN JOSE LEADERDS are questioning if spending millions on homeless outreach is worth the investment, with efforts producing single-digit success rates last year.

San Jose spent $24 million in federal grants last year aimed at addressing homelessness. Of the more than 1,000 people experiencing homelessness that two city-funded nonprofits reportedly connected with, less than 10 percent eventually transitioned into any type of temporary or permanent housing. There are more than 6,300 homeless people across the city, according to this year’s point-in-time count.