CALIFORNIA, USA — The effort to end homelessness continues as California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced more than $827 million in new state investments to help create housing and support for those experiencing homelessness. However, some local lawmakers are questioning the governor's plan.
Newsom announced the new grants Tuesday as part of the state's Homeless Housing and Assistance Prevention (HHPA) program. The goal is to provide communities with support by creating permanent housing, rental and move-in assistance, and more.
"We also now have a new template that we put out as it relates to prioritization of encampments, health and safety, 48-hour notification minimum, and expectations as it relates to service connections as well," Newsom said.
The Sacramento region will get $53.21 million, with San Joaquin and Stanislaus County regions getting $14 million and $5.89 million, respectively. However, there are conditions to the money, including reporting expected on a monthly basis and rules and regulations complying with both state and housing rules, Newsom said.
Back in April, an audit showed the state spent nearly $24 billion on homelessness and housing over a five-year period but lacked data on its effectiveness. Republican Senator Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks) was part of the bipartisan effort to get the audit done.
"Hopefully, he has found the value of accountability, but if past is prologue, at this point, all it is is words," Niello said.
While Senator Niello credits the state for getting people housed, he believes the long term solution is not housing.
"They don't seem to be doing a good job at addressing why people became homeless in the first place, addressing those issues through counseling or otherwise and getting them to self-sufficiency from dependency to self-sufficiency," said Niello.
In line with the announcement Tuesday, Newsom said he believes housing and supportive services will solve the homelessness crisis.
He said Sacramento saw a reduction in the unsheltered population last year. This is the fifth round of this type of funding with the sixth round approved in June. That will be an additional billion dollars to come.
