Governor Newsom Awards $52M in Grants to 90 Projects Across 53 Counties
Governor Gavin Newsom announced over $52 million in federal grants to support local housing, infrastructure and homelessness initiatives, funding 90 projects across 53 counties.
Sunday Commentary: Opioid Epidemic Exposes the Myth of What Causes Homelessness
Homelessness is primarily caused by unaffordable housing, not addiction or mental illness, and is exacerbated by a lack of safety nets and the collapse of low-cost rentals.
California Sues Trump Administration over Cuts to Homelessness Funding
California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Governor Gavin Newsom have joined a coalition of states suing the Trump administration over new restrictions placed on federal homelessness grants, arguing the policy is unlawful and will push tens of thousands of people back into homelessness.
Governor Newsom’s SAFE Task Force Clears Homeless Camps in Fresno, San Diego
Governor Gavin Newsom’s SAFE Task Force has removed homeless encampments on state property in Fresno and San Diego, connecting residents with medical services, housing, and other resources.
California Invests in Housing for Veterans with New $251.8M Initiative
Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California is investing in the construction of 707 permanent supportive homes for veterans and other Californians experiencing or at risk of homelessness, funded by voter-approved Proposition 1.
New Initiative Seeks to Transform How California Families Access Emergency Shelter
ReloShare is a technology company working to provide emergency housing for families in crisis in California, with the goal of making the process of finding emergency housing as simple as booking a hotel room.
California Braces for ‘Devastating’ Expected Cuts to Federal Homeless Housing Funds
The Trump administration is expected to cut federal funding for permanent housing, which could reverse recent progress made in solving California’s homelessness problem and result in thousands of vulnerable residents being evicted from their subsidized housing.
Critics Slam Criminalization of Homelessness, Urge Focus on Affordable Housing
Housing and civil rights advocates have criticized the growing criminalization of homelessness, calling it a moral failure and a counterproductive public policy, and urging instead for investments in supportive services and housing.
California Governor Vetoes Bill for Sober Living in Homelessness Strategy
Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed Assembly Bill 255, which would have allowed state funding for abstinence-based recovery housing as part of California’s homelessness response system, citing the need to remain aligned with the evidence-based Housing First policy.
Op-ed | Cities that Ban or Criminalize Homeless Services Worsen California’s Crisis
Senate Bill 634 would hold cities accountable for addressing homelessness by preventing them from banning supportive services and ensuring that those services reach people experiencing homelessness.
VA Awards over $164 Million in Grants to Fight Veteran Homelessness in California
The Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded $164,068,809 in grants to 27 organizations across California to support Veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, providing housing assistance, health care, financial planning, childcare, legal services, and transportation.
California’s SAFE Task Force Makes Progress in LA Homelessness Crisis
Governor Gavin Newsom’s SAFE Task Force, in partnership with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Los Angeles County, dismantled a large encampment along the 110 Freeway and connected residents with shelter and supportive services, marking the task force’s first effort in Southern California.
Torrance Plans Military-Style Camps and Arrest Policy to Tackle Homelessness
The Torrance City Council is considering an ordinance that would make it illegal for homeless people to refuse shelter, while also considering the creation of military-style camps with tents to expand temporary housing.
California Law Protects Groups Aiding Unhoused from Facing Criminal Charges
Senate Bill 634, authored by state Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez, has passed, prohibiting local jurisdictions from penalizing individuals or organizations for offering assistance to those living without stable housing, and marking a crucial step in protecting essential services to unhoused Californians.
Norwalk Agrees to Repeal Housing Ban for Vulnerable Residents
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Governor Gavin Newsom, and California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Director Gustavo Velasquez announced a settlement with the City of Norwalk to repeal its ban on new housing for vulnerable residents, create a local housing trust fund, and implement overdue housing element programs.
Governor Newsom Claims Progress on Homelessness
Governor Gavin Newsom has launched a statewide task force, SAFE, to prioritize and remove encampments along state rights-of-way in California’s ten largest cities, while connecting people with services and shelter.
California Launches Task Force to Clear Encampments and Expand Shelter Access
Governor Gavin Newsom has announced the creation of the State Action for Facilitation on Encampments (SAFE) Task Force to coordinate state agencies to remove homeless encampments and expand access to shelter and supportive services in California’s ten largest cities.
California’s Homeless Housing Program Faces Funding Cuts, Jeopardizing Gains
California local leaders are urging lawmakers to restore critical funding for the state’s Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) program before the legislative session ends, warning that the state risks undermining the progress made in reducing homelessness.
National Guard Plan to Address Homelessness Draws Criticism as Experts Cite Housing Solutions
President Donald Trump has announced the National Guard will assume control of the Washington, D.C., police department for 30 days, and has suggested the effort could expand to other cities, while experts warn that criminalizing homelessness does not solve the problem and that housing and health care, not handcuffs and fines, are the solutions.
Interim Housing Seen as Affordable Answer to California’s Homelessness Crisis
Elizabeth Funk, founder of DignityMoves, is advocating for interim housing as a cost-effective and humane solution to California’s homelessness crisis, providing private, trauma-informed, and service-rich housing to those in need.