California to seek beds for mental health, drug treatment

SAN DIEGO — California voters fund a major expansion of housing and treatment for residents struggling with mental illness and addiction under the latest proposal by Gov. Gavin Newsom to address the state’s homelessness crisis. will decide whether to provide it or not.

Newsom announced on Sunday that it will ask allies in the Democratic-controlled Congress to vote on measures in 2024 to allow funds to build housing facilities where up to 12,000 people can live and receive treatment annually. Did. The plan is the latest by a governor who took office in 2019, pledging to own the homeless problem in a state where an estimated 171,000 people were displaced last year.

The governor called the plan the next step in how California expands services to people who are not incarcerated, especially those with psychological and substance use disorders.

“We must address and grasp the realities of mental health in this state and in our country. The question is, what can we do more and do better?” Newsom said at a press conference. said in

Home to nearly 40 million people, California is home to nearly one-third of the nation’s homeless population, far more than any other state, according to an analysis of federal data by the California Institute of Public Policy. increasing rapidly. Tent camps have sprung up on sidewalks and under highway overpasses, and people in obvious mental health crises are common in city streets.

Newsom said the initiative, which will be funded in part by general bonds, will raise $3 billion to $5 billion to build “campus-style” facilities, as well as smaller housing and long-term residential facilities. .

In addition, it would overhaul California’s Mental Health Services Act, which was approved by voters in 2004, to impose a 1% tax on income over $1 million to fund mental health services. Some lawmakers complained that funding from the initiative was diverted to those who needed it most, and Newsom’s office said the new version would improve oversight of the county.

“Modernizing it will lead to $1 billion annually in housing, treatment for substance abuse disorders, and more,” said a statement from the governor’s office.

The County Association of California, which represents all 58 counties in California, said in a statement Sunday to establish “clear responsibility, accountability and funding for all levels of government” to address the homeless problem. , said it would work with governors and lawmakers.

Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton) will introduce measures that will also set aside funding to house more than 10,000 homeless veterans statewide, according to a statement.

Newsom revealed details of the plan during a Sunday afternoon stopover in San Diego. The governor is in the middle of his five-day statewide tour, which he uses to highlight his key policy goals. Tours have replaced traditional state speeches.

On Thursday, Newsom announced plans to spend about $30 million to build 1,200 tiny homes statewide to help homeless homes. The house can be assembled quickly and is a fraction of what it would cost to build a permanent home. A federal court has ruled that cities cannot clear homeless encampments if there are no shelter beds available.

Newsom will travel to Imperial County on Monday to discuss California’s readiness to become a global leader in electric vehicles and clean energy, his office said.

California’s governor’s swing comes in the midst of a difficult time for the state. After a few years of flash in Sacramento, California has an estimated $22.5 billion deficit, with state revenues declining as the stock market slows.

A recent poll found that half of California voters, including a majority of independents, believe the Democratic-strong state is headed in the wrong direction. And after years of growth, the state’s population is declining as people look elsewhere for more affordable housing and a better quality of life.