Flanked by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Los Angeles County Supervisors, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the state’s latest round of funding, preaching that urgency is the only option to tackle California’s homelessness crisis. Ta.
“There is no one who is naive about the challenges of this issue,” Newsom said Tuesday. “No one is naive about the public’s perception of our progress in this state. No one is denying how angry the public is.”
Newsom said the funding comes from a program created during former Gov. Jerry Brown’s term. The money is split 50-50 between the city and county. The head of the LA Services Authority cited concerns around accountability.
“Accountability is about setting targets for street homelessness,” said Dr. Va. Lesia Adams Kellum. “It’s about ensuring what we call ‘throughput.’ We’re talking about people from the street to permanent housing.”
A state audit released over the summer found California spent $24 billion over five years to combat homelessness but did not consistently track the funds or their effectiveness. State Republicans said the audit raises questions about whether the governor’s promises of accountability can be trusted.
FILE – Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the latest round of funding for the homeless, days after announcing a proposal to help the movie industry. Getty Images
“If the past is prologue, then it’s just words,” said state Sen. Roger Niello (R-Roseville). “I remain optimistic until the end and hope things get better and the state holds people accountable.”
The latest official homeless count shows Los Angeles County’s homeless population remains roughly unchanged from 2023 at just over 75,000 people. The city of LA reported a drop of just over 2%, with 45,000 people living on the streets.
“A lot of it is mental illness and substance abuse,” Niello said. “And we have to somehow force people into treatment and make them independent.
Newsom said change is happening, even if it’s gradual and slow.
“The mayor said that. I commend the mayor and the county,” Newsom said. “We have seen a decline in unsheltered homelessness, but that is a priority and we need to address the sidewalk situation with laser focus and prioritization.
The state says more money from this funding program will be rolled out, but it’s unclear when.
Tom Waits
