Governor Gavin Newsom announced that nearly $200 million in grant money will be allocated to California cities and counties to address homelessness by moving individuals from encampments into housing. He emphasized the need for increased oversight and accountability in these efforts, stating that local governments must demonstrate progress or face potential legal action. Newsom also mentioned reallocating state personnel to assist with homelessness reduction projects and cracking down on those that do not deliver on their plans. This shift comes after a scathing state audit revealed a lack of tracking and data on the effectiveness of previous spending on homelessness.
Despite over $24 billion being allocated to tackle homelessness in the past five years, the number of homeless individuals in California has continued to rise. Newsom, who has prioritized homelessness and housing during his administration, has implemented measures to hold local governments accountable for planning and building more housing as required by state law. A housing accountability unit within the California Department of Housing and Community Development will now focus on monitoring homelessness spending. Additionally, the governor has paused state spending for local governments in 2022, citing inadequate plans to address homelessness as the reason.
Newsom has urged local officials to think creatively and ambitiously in addressing the homelessness crisis. As part of ongoing efforts, his office announced $192 million in state grants to 17 cities and counties for targeted encampment clean-up efforts, with the goal of providing services and housing for nearly 3,600 people. These grants are part of a larger $750 million initiative to address encampments across the state. Examples of funding allocation include nearly $11 million to house 200 people in Fresno and $18 million to assist 60 largely Latino farm workers and their families in Marin County.
At a news conference, several mayors and local leaders highlighted the successes they have achieved in transitioning individuals from tents to stable housing with the help of state funding. Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer credited state support for enabling the city to expand mental health services, shelter outreach programs, and housing units, leading to significant progress in reducing the number of individuals living on the streets. While the data may not fully capture these achievements, local leaders emphasized the importance of continued support and collaboration to address homelessness effectively.
In his efforts to combat homelessness, Newsom remains focused on holding local governments accountable and driving tangible results in reducing the number of individuals living on the streets. By reallocating resources, implementing oversight measures, and providing funding to support targeted initiatives, the governor aims to make meaningful progress towards addressing the homelessness crisis in California. The recent announcement of grants to cities and counties underscores the state’s commitment to supporting efforts to move individuals from encampments to stable housing, with a focus on providing essential services and addressing the root causes of homelessness.
