San Jose city leaders moved one step closer to approving an ordinance cracking down on homeless encampments located near schools.
Council members on Tuesday approved the first reading of the proposal, which now needs another approval after a second reading scheduled next month. If passed, the ordinance will launch a pilot program at a handful of schools, creating a buffer zone for encampments around those campuses.
"A lot of times when we have unhoused encampments, RVs in and around our schools, it sometimes even blocks the sidewalk and creates an unsafe environment for students and families," said Juan Cruz, superintendent for the Franklin-McKinley School District.
Students and city staff proposed the ordinance, which would prohibit any tents, RVs and other dwellings within 150 feet of licensed pre-schools, day care facilities or K-12 schools.
Get a weekly recap of the latest San Francisco Bay Area housing news. Sign up for NBC Bay Area’s Housing Deconstructed newsletter.
The ordinance would give the city authority to tow any vehicles and remove any encampments in violation.
Shirakawa, KIPP San Jose Collegiate on the Independence High School campus, and Challenger in the Berryessa neighborhood will be part of the proposed pilot. If the pilot program works, the council could eventually expand it citywide.
When the schools brought the issue for an initial vote in January, unhoused advocates warned a blanket ban discriminates against homeless people.
City leaders estimate San Jose is home to 850 lived-in vehicles and that nearly 1,500 residents could be impacted by the policy.
Mayor Matt Mahan wants to make sure students have access to education without feeling scared about going to school
"We’ve heard from a number of kids that they don’t feel safe walking to school," he said. "Even being at school, when there are tents and RV encampments right up against the school boundaries. So we worked with a number of students, particularly at KIPP Collegiate in Eastside San Jose to bring forward a thoughtful ordinance."
Student activists have said they do not want to criminalize the unhoused, but they insist they should feel safe walking to school.
There have been reports of cat calls coming from RVs parked in front of KIPP and Independence high schools. Needles have been found on school picnic tables.
An important part of the proposed ordinance for the students is providing services for the unhoused.
"The bottom line is we need a place for people to go when we abate them," Mahan said.
The mayor said the city is expanding what are called safe parking sites while still working on more shelter space and affordable housing.
