In his State of the City Address, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan declared that the city is again “on the cusp” of transformative progress. His top priorities include public safety, housing and homelessness, blight, infrastructure, tourism, and emerging technologies.
This year, San Jose plans to open over 1,000 new safe and dignified places, more than any other city on the West Coast, to provide humane and immediate alternatives to encampments. The city implemented strategic fee reductions to make housing development more viable, helping previously stalled housing projects totaling 2,000 units move forward. The Mayor also stressed that more action is needed, particularly from county and state partners, to provide the mental health and addiction treatment services necessary to stabilize residents transitioning out of homelessness. He plans to continue advocating for permanent state funding for interim housing and shelter.
Mayor Mahan celebrated San Jose’s public safety achievements, highlighting a 100% homicide solve rate over the past three years, an unmatched record among large U.S. cities. The Mayor also addressed blight and vandalism through “Education, Eradication, and Enforcement”. Through this process, the city removed 1.9 million square feet of graffiti, hosted over 350 trash clean-ups, and took nearly 10.5 million pounds of trash off the streets this year. To reinforce these efforts, the city has restarted graffiti stings, increased prosecution of repeat offenders, and launched restorative justice initiatives that turn prolific taggers into community beautifiers.
With San Jose set to host both the Super Bowl and World Cup events in 2026, the city is investing in the community and entertainment infrastructure to revitalize its downtown core and boost economic recovery. These efforts include an outdoor concert series, activating entertainment zones, and community-wide events celebrating San Jose’s diversity and creativity. Mayor Mahan also emphasized the city’s leadership in embracing AI and emerging technologies. In partnership with San Jose State University, the city has launched hands-on training programs that have helped staff save 10,000 work hours while equipping students with in-demand skills. AI pilot programs are already improving public safety, speeding up bus routes, and detecting real-time infrastructure issues.
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.
