The Jungle

The Jungle was a tent city situated beneath an overpass in San Jose, featuring numerous makeshift shelters constructed from tarps, wood, and salvaged materials. The settlement sprawled across a substantial area and accommodated residents who had created their own living spaces within the encampment.

The encampment grew rapidly starting in 2012 and became one of the largest homeless settlements in North America within a few years. Municipal authorities eventually ordered the closure and relocation of residents in late 2014.

The settlement reflected broader social changes in California cities, where increasing housing costs forced many residents into temporary living situations.

The site was accessible by foot from nearby streets, though the terrain was often muddy and uneven. Visitors needed appropriate footwear and awareness of the challenging conditions present throughout the encampment.

The settlement was organized into distinct sections, ranging from basic tent arrangements to more complex structures with improvised water systems and electrical connections. This diversity demonstrated how residents had built functioning communities despite severe resource limitations.