The Bay San José Mayor Matt Mahan Wants to Be Governor. Here’s A Look Into His Signature Homelessness Program
Feb 9, 2026
Guy Marzarotti, KQED politics and government correspondent who covers Bay Area local government, walks through San José’s shift to tiny-home and interim shelter strategies. He describes the new modular sites, resident experiences, funding and operating challenges, political tensions, and whether the approach has reduced unsheltered homelessness.
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Ribbon-Cutting For Final Tiny Home Site
- Guy Marzarotti attended a ribbon-cutting for a 200-bed tiny home community in North San Jose at the Cerrone VTA yards.
- He described it as the last tiny home project in the city's pipeline and a milestone for Mayor Matt Mahan's initiative.
Resident Shares Relief And Future Goals
- Miguel Torres, a resident at an interim housing site, said having a private room felt peaceful and let him focus on work and stability.
- He personalized his space quickly but still views the tiny home as a step toward a permanent house for his kids.
Major Funding Shift Toward Interim Shelter
- When Matt Mahan became mayor, San Jose shifted from spending mostly on permanent affordable housing to prioritizing interim shelter.
- The city moved from 90% affordable-housing spending to 90% shelter spending, creating over 2,100 beds.