San Jose is entering an exciting new chapter. Recently, SmartAsset ranked San Jose as the safest big city in America, bolstered by the city’s efforts to provide innovative solutions for the unhoused community. It’s also preparing downtown to shine on the global stage for some of the world’s most anticipated sporting events. Mayor Matt Mahan talked all about San Jose’s progress and the road ahead in this interview with KRON 4’s Reyna Harvey.
San Jose’s Progress on Safety and the Unhoused
San Jose is taking bold steps to support its unhoused community. The city recently opened the South Bay’s first Safe Sleeping Site, designed as a stabilization point where people can work with case managers and begin moving toward permanent housing.
At the same time, three local motels have been converted into housing, part of a plan to add over 1,000 interim placements this year. These efforts are already paying off: the share of unhoused residents in shelters has risen from 16% to nearly 40%, with expectations to surpass 50% by the end of the year. For visitors, that means fewer unmanaged encampments and a more welcoming environment downtown.
Downtown Prepares to Welcome the World
The world will soon turn its eyes to San Jose. Downtown will host March Madness games at the SAP Center, while the Super Bowl and six FIFA World Cup matches will bring tens of thousands of fans to Levi Stadium in nearby Santa Clara.
Beyond the games, downtown will buzz with fan zones, concerts, drone shows, and cultural celebrations. With Mineta San Jose International Airport minutes away, hotels within walking distance, and Diridon Station connecting the region, downtown is the natural hub for visitors to stay, play, and celebrate. In anticipation of this, Mayor Mahan and Visit San Jose announced the launch of the San Jose 2026 website, where visitors can plan their itineraries, find events all over downtown, book their hotel stays, and get access to transportation information.
As Mayor Mahan puts it, the “big game might only be 10% of the time visitors spend here, but we want to make sure they see all of the diversity, innovation, great food, and great weather we have to offer.”
There’s no better place to see it all than downtown San Jose. Plan your trip and see what’s happening on our event calendar.
