With television cameras rolling and traffic on busy San Fernando Valley highways buzzing in the background, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday threatened to eliminate state funding for counties that don’t see improvements in homelessness .
“If we don’t see clear results, I will start redirecting funding,” Newsom said.
“We sincerely believe we need local governments to step up. This is a crisis. Let’s do it.
The Democratic governor’s unbridled frustration with the lack of progress on his top issue — homelessness — is nothing new, nor is there a warning about stripping funds from reluctant counties. As he approaches the halfway mark of his second and final term, Newsom is using his soap opera as governor to increase public pressure and blame local leaders for California’s worst humanitarian crisis.
Los Angeles County, in particular, has been a frequent target of Newsom’s ire. The governor again criticized the county Thursday for delaying implementation of a law that expands the criteria for being detained against a person’s will.
Caltrans crews are clearing another portion of a homeless encampment near Paxton and Remick.
(Jason Almond/Los Angeles Times)
Ahead of his trip to Pacoima, his call last month to dismantle homeless encampments also appeared to have largely fallen on deaf ears in Los Angeles, where elected officials criticized the order or said it did not change their policy approach . The governor’s executive order requires his administration to dismantle encampments on state property and urges cities and counties to do the same.
Mayor Karen Bass said, “Strategies of just moving people from one community to another or giving tickets without providing housing are not going to work.” Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath said the county is already taking “urgent measures.” and humane camp solutions.”
Two weeks later, wearing a T-shirt, aviator sunglasses and a baseball cap, Newsom arrived with California Department of Transportation workers at the encampment near the Highway 5 entrance in Pacoima. The governor said he signed the executive order “intentionally.”
“People may choose not to do anything different,” Newsom said Thursday. “That’s a decision that can be made. That’s the decision I’m going to make. … If that’s the outcome, I’m going to re- Allocate funds. It’s not complicated and I’ll send it to people who really want to get the job done.
Governors and experts agree that the homelessness crisis has been decades in the making, but are divided over whether Newsom’s more conservative policy approach and recriminations will help solve the problem. A lack of affordable housing, low wages and a high cost of living are at the heart of the problem, which is exacerbated by mental health challenges and substance abuse.
“If it’s not the most important issue, then you’re not paying attention,” the governor said of homelessness.
(Jason Almond/Los Angeles Times)
The Newsom administration has spent more than $24 billion to clear encampments, move Californians off streets and sidewalks, convert hotels and motels into temporary shelters, and dozens of other homeless initiatives. The state has increased local government spending flexibility and given cities and counties more power to force Californians to accept treatment and expand oversight through programs like CARE courts.
Proposition 1, a ballot measure Newsom narrowly passed in March, is expected to provide more than $6 billion for 10,000 treatment and housing beds and expand addiction care.
But Newsom’s policy approach to encampments and mandatory care has become a point of contention between the governor and homeless advocates, leaning him more toward conservatives than the party’s progressive wing. The governor argued that he had done his job and provided cities and counties with more funding, tools and authority to address the issues as required.
“No more excuses,” Newsom said. “You’ve got the money. You’ve got the flexibility. You’ve got the green light. You’ve got the support of the state and the public is asking you to do it, and if it’s not the most important issue, you’re not paying attention. This is the biggest issue on California’s reputation.” of scars.
Los Angeles County issued a statement defending its response to the homelessness crisis, calling it a large and complex undertaking:
“New bed capacity needs to be built to accommodate the patient population that requires locked facilities when admitted involuntarily. If these steps are not taken first, the work of getting people off the streets for the sake of their health and safety will fail. This is not means Los Angeles County is at a standstill. Our Pathway Home encampment settlement program has moved hundreds of people inside, and we’ve also broadly supported the City of Los Angeles’ Inside Safety Plan, which has sheltered thousands more. .
In June, Newsom praised a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allowed the city of Grants Pass, Ore., to enforce a law banning camping in public places even though the city did not have enough shelter for people living in the encampments. People provide shelter.
Scholars and homeless advocates view Newsom’s encampment order following the ruling as a response to political pressure that could make the problem worse rather than provide solutions that help California’s most vulnerable residents.
“People don’t disappear on their own,” said Margot Kushel, a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco and director of the Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative. “There’s no easy way out of this. I sympathize with everyone’s frustration. I’m frustrated. I want this to end. I know it’s unacceptable, but I think when you’re stuck, You need to stop digging.
Kushel and others describe California’s fundamental problem as a shortage of affordable housing. Kushel said the Newsom administration has spent a lot of money on addressing homelessness, but the state still isn’t building enough housing as need continues to grow.
A state audit also found that California failed to monitor the effectiveness of its costly homeless programs, raising questions about whether Newsom’s efforts are worthwhile as the state grapples with budget deficits . The governor has pushed for more accountability on how local governments use state funds.
The state budget enacted in July expanded the responsibilities of the state Housing Accountability Division to include overseeing state grants to homeless people in cities and counties and added more staff positions. Another bill (Assembly Bill 3093) seeks to require local governments to plan to build housing for all income levels, including the homeless.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan praised Newsom’s commitment to improving accountability.
State transportation crews are involved in the cleanup.
(Jason Almond/Los Angeles Times)
Mahan said developing more affordable housing was critical, but fixing the problem immediately would take too long and cost too much. San Jose has been working to provide temporary and transitional housing communities using state and federal funds to provide a “step off the streets.”
Last month, Newsom informed San Diego County that due to a lack of action, the state intended to withdraw a $10 million grant to build 150 smaller units and reallocate the funds to San Jose.
Mahan said he supports the idea of a statewide framework that would set goals and targets for local governments to establish shelter and provide treatment for homeless residents.
“I think it takes us away from the illusion that if we happen to have $100 billion left, we can prioritize solutions that work,” Mahan said.
Times staff writer Rebecca Ellis contributed to this report.
