As far back as 2012, people without homes camped along the Coyote Creek near Story Road. As more homeless people moved there, environmental activists, regulators and others threatened lawsuits and regulatory enforcement to reduce the camp’s pollution in the creek. In response, city officials began repeatedly sweeping the encampment, known as the Jungle or Coyote Meadows. Officials have at various times added fencing and police patrols. In April, another large-scale sweep is planned. A new “no-encampment zone” policy will allow for the removal of anyone who returns to live there.
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May 2012: The city clears about 150 people from the site.
2013 – 2014 The EPA lists Coyote Creek as one of the most polluted waterways in America.
May 13, 2013: People returned to the Jungle. City housing department officials expect to need to sweep the area every six to 8 months.
Dec. 14, 2013: The growing encampment gains national attention. Doctors visit people in the Jungle to treat those living there.
March 20, 2014: State wildlife regulators file a complaint against the city, claiming failure to clean homeless encampments along Coyote Creek violates environmental laws.
July 2014: City officials send police patrols, arresting about half a dozen people on warrants for non-violent offenses involving drugs or trespassing.
September 2014: It’s time for the encampment to “disappear,” officials say. They plan a large sweep in 18 months and offer housing and housing vouchers to residents.
Nov. 24, 2014: Water quality woes continue as the environmental group Bay Keeper announces plans to sue San Jose over the conditions of waterways.
Nov. 29, 2014: Signs warning of the upcoming sweep are posted as the city and Santa Clara Valley Water District pledge to “permanently dismantle the makeshift shantytown.”
Dec. 4, 2014: The Jungle is swept. Now believed to be one of the largest homeless encampments in the country, the work to dismantle it makes international headlines.
July 2015: Environmental restoration begins to take root as gray fox, possum and raccoons are found along the banks of the creek.
August 2016: People again return to live in the area, and homeless residents remove 24 tons of trash from Coyote Creek.
Jan. 1 2023: Matt Mahan becomes mayor of San Jose. In running for office, he pledged to clean up the city.
August 2025: The largest encampment in the city, Columbus Park, is swept. Patrols police the area — now declared a no-camping site — moving people who have returned to live there.
February 2026: Officials plan to sweep the Jungle on April 15. Afterward, the area will become a no-encampment zone.