Santa Clara County has 10K unhoused people; 200 died in last year
SAN JOSE, Calif. - The National Weather Service said the cold weather hitting the Bay Area is dangerous for homeless and unsheltered people.
"Approximately two people die every other day in San Jose," said Pastor Scott Wagers of CHAM Deliverance Ministry. "This is when it happens, [temperatures] drop near freezing. People [are] out here exposed on the sidewalk."
In Santa Clara County alone, there are 10,000 unhoused residents, according to a report from the Housing and Urban Development department. Over the last year, 200 of those people died, which the county marked in a memorial last week.
In San Jose, there are about 6,000 unhoused people. City leaders know that protecting the homeless population has been a challenge.
"We are giving people who are living outdoors information on how to stay safe. Some people who remain outdoors, we try to emphasize the importance of staying dry," said Jeff Scott, a spokesperson for the San Jose Department of Housing.
Over the summer, there was a big push to get help for those dealing with extreme heat.
The NWS said that this extended period of cold weather could lead to hypothermia.
People older than 65 are most at risk of those types of dangers.
According to the county, of the 197 homeless deaths this year, more than a quarter were seniors.
Santa Clara County offers a handful of warming centers, including libraries and community centers.
San Jose has two overnight warming locations open from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. every night until the end of April.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan said he wants to open 1,000 managed safe spaces in the next year. He also made a push to build hundreds of tiny homes and portable homes.
"I need a room with four walls and some warmth. And some love… Just like every human being would want, the basic things in life," said Jeff, who didn't want to give his last name and who has been unhoused for about two years.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported that the city of San Jose had 10,000 unhoused residents. Santa Clara County recorded that number. The city of San Jose's unhoused population is around 6,000.