San Jose audit reveals homeless programs plagued by poor oversight and accountability - Local News Matters

San Jose's audit of its homelessness services reveals severe deficiencies in oversight and accountability, with many nonprofits failing to meet established performance targets. The Housing Department's lack of corrective action plans has allowed these issues to persist, according to City Auditor Joe Rios. The audit found that outreach efforts focus on quantity rather than quality, which negatively impacts the effectiveness of services provided to the homeless community. A concerning statistic highlights the ratio of 180 unsheltered individuals for each outreach worker, underscoring the strain on resources. The audit also criticized the Housing Department for not conducting site visits, limiting accurate assessments of provider performance.

Although some nonprofits cited staffing shortages as reasons for failing to meet their goals, the lack of coordination among service providers remains a significant concern. In response to the audit, the Housing Department intends to enhance its grant monitoring processes by June 2026. These changes aim to increase accountability and improve the overall effectiveness of San Jose's homeless outreach efforts.