San Jose Prepares Final Clearing of Coyote Creek Encampment as Residents Face Transition to Tiny Home Village

San Jose's last major homeless camp, The Jungle, will be cleared on April 15 as residents are offered units in a new tiny home village near Coyote Creek.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 26, 2026, 9:51 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from the East Bay Times

A Milestone in San Jose Homelessness Strategy

The City of San Jose is moving forward with plans to dismantle its last sprawling homeless encampment, a densely populated area along the banks of Coyote Creek. Known locally as the Jungle, the site currently provides shelter for about 100 individuals living in a complex network of tents, shacks, and improvised structures. Mayor Matt Mahan has framed the upcoming April 15 sweep as a pivotal step in a citywide effort to transition unhoused populations into an expanded system of emergency shelters. While the administration views the move as a necessary progression toward public order, many residents remain conflicted about the loss of a long established, self governed community.

The Transition to Tiny Home Villages

For many inhabitants of the creek side site, the next chapter involves moving into 120 square foot units at a newly constructed tiny home village. Located on a Valley Transportation Authority lot near the Milpitas border, the facility represents the city's primary alternative to open air camping. Residents like 62 year old Martin Rodriguez, a former auto mechanic, express a mixture of relief and trepidation regarding the trade of their current wood and tarp enclosures for standardized city units. While the tiny homes offer a reprieve from the mud and violence reported by some, others view the transition as an exchange of personal autonomy for a more regimented, temporary environment.

Restoring the Coyote Creek Ecosystem

City officials and environmental advocates point to the severe ecological degradation of Coyote Creek as a primary driver for the clearing operation. Years of makeshift habitation have resulted in significant pollution, illegal dumping, and the removal of trees for firewood, impacting a waterway that serves as a critical habitat for native fish like salmon and lamprey. Deb Kramer, leader of the nonprofit Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful, noted that the water quality remains poor and that restoring the forest canopy is essential for local bird populations. Once the site is cleared, the city intends to enforce a strict no camping zone to allow the natural environment to recover.