SACRAMENTO –Gov. Gavin Newsom dedicated most of his Wednesday State of the State speech to the subject of homelessness, and detailing how his administration would respond to the growing crisis.

In his speech, Newsom laid out a five-point framework that he would approach to the problem.

GET PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS
Newsom laid out the need to get people off of the street as “quickly and humanely” as possible.

The governor pointed to his January executive order, which called for the deployment of emergency trailers and services to be provided to homeless families and seniors. That same order also called for vacant state property to be used by local governments “for homelessness solutions.”

GETTING THE MENTALLY ILL INTO TREATMENT
Newsom called for a “once-in-a-generation” reform of Medi-Cal, backed by a $695-million budget request, aimed at providing critical mental health services to those on the streets who need them.

PROVIDING STABLE FUNDING
Newsom used his speech Wednesday to promote his proposed “California Access to Housing Fund,” which he said brings “a whole new way of investing in homeless solutions.”

Newsom said it focuses on a simple solution: “Paying for what works.”

ADDRESSING AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Newsom called affordable housing a “fundamental building block” to California’s solution for homelessness.

To that end, the governor pointed to past successes, such as 2019’s $7 billion affordable housing package and laws preventing landlords from discriminating against low-income tenants with Section 8 housing vouchers.

‘REAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND CONSEQUENCES’
Throughout his speech, Newsom emphasized that he wanted “real accountability and consequences” attached to the state’s efforts to reduce homelessness.

He called on local governments to increase density “in a way that promotes equity, affordability and inclusion,” and that housing units planned turn into housing units built. (Source: Sacramento Bee)

Story Date: February 25, 2020