San José Mayor Matt Mahan delivered his State of the City Address, highlighting significant progress on homelessness, public safety, housing, affordability, and innovation, while outlining a continued focus on accountability and results.
Mayor Mahan highlighted major progress on homelessness, sharing that over the past three years, the city has reduced the number of people living outside by nearly one-third by opening nearly 2,000 additional beds. The number of people living in vehicles on public streets has declined by 45% through an RV buyback program, expanded safe parking sites, and clearer expectations for cleanliness and accessibility in shared public spaces.
The Mayor shared that San José was once again the safest big city in the country last year and ended the year with a 15% overall reduction in crime. The city is also the only large city in the nation to have solved 100% of homicides for nearly four consecutive years, a testament to the deep trust between SJPD and the community, where residents report crimes, provide evidence, and serve as witnesses at higher rates.
Mayor Mahan also outlined a vision to ensure the AI revolution works for the community. The city partnered with San José State to create an upskilling curriculum to empower city hall employees in AI tools and launched “AI for All,” a first-in-the-nation initiative that aims to make San José the most AI-literate city in the world. Technology pilots are already improving services, including tools that have increased bus speeds by more than 20% citywide.
Watch the Mayor’s full remarks here.
At a time when our rights, freedoms, and futures are under threat, Democratic Mayors are showing the nation what real leadership looks like.
