California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that nearly $200 million in state funding will be distributed to cities statewide to help move people out of homeless encampments and into housing.
Why it matters: The awards were granted to 17 California communities, including Redlands neighbor San Bernardino, to help support local, on-the-ground operations to help transition unhoused individuals from encampments to more stable housing.
Details: Newsom announced the awards during an April 18 virtual press conference. The grants total approximately $192 million and are part of the state’s Encampment Resolution Fund. The California Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal ICH) administers the grants, which will support 20 projects.
“These grants show what is possible when the state partners with local communities to put people first and provide them with services to put them on the path to safe, stable housing,” said Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Secretary Tomiquia Moss, who co-chairs Cal ICH. “This approach focuses on providing the person-centered local solutions that will ensure that unsheltered Californians are connected to the appropriate housing and supportive services they need to achieve long-term stability.”
Some of the jurisdictions receiving funding include Anaheim, Fresno, San Mateo, Monterey, Oakland and others, with Los Angeles County receiving the most funding at $51.5 million. San Bernardino is set to receive $4.6 million.
Newsom concurrently proposed increased enforcement and oversight to hold local governments more accountable in regards to adequately addressing homelessness. This push for increased oversight is not only to work towards providing more affordable housing, mental health and addiction services, but also to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent effectively.
The state plans to closely monitor how cities use state homeless funding with the goal of seeing measurable results. The oversight is not only meant to offer support but to possibly pursue legal actions and other consequences for municipalities that are not meeting their commitments when it comes to addressing homelessness.
What they’re saying: “This new funding will get people out of tents and into housing across California,” Newsom said. “As the state provides unprecedented resources like this, we also expect accountability. Local governments must ensure this funding is being utilized on the ground.”
Looking ahead: The projects funded by the grants are expected to provide services and support to nearly 3,600 people, of whom 2,200 will receive permanent housing, according to a press release by Newsom’s office. It also noted that 12 of the 20 projects are designed to resolve encampments set up along state rights-of-way.
