By Rachel Lampert
Governor of California Gavin Newsom has made the idea of tackling homelessness one of his main priorities. Homelessness in California has continued to be frequent.
Dan Walters – CalMatters writes, “Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislators have spent many billions of dollars on homelessness, but the number of unhoused Californians has continued to rise, approaching 200,000 in the latest count.” This goes to show the numbers are increasing within the state as inflation also plays a major role in this. In addition, Newsom’s administration created what they call the “Action Plan for Preventing and Ending Homelessness in California 2025–2027” Meaning Gov. Newsom is taking the approach of persistence. Alongside an over one-hundred-page plan including adding more social and medical services to prevent people from falling onto the wrong side of the tracks. This can be seen as costly yet effective. Walters says, “The housing and social and medical services the plan says are needed to effectively end homelessness would cost countless billions of dollars, but the plan doesn’t put price tags on its goals or actions to achieve them. Nor does it lay out how any of the money would be raised when the state faces chronic multibillion-dollar budget deficits.”
There is still effort we as a community as Newsom makes clear need to work towards. If you are experiencing homelessness or know of someone who is please contact the County of Los Angeles Homelessness Initiative at HomelessInitiative@lacounty.gov or The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, at (213) 225-6581.
References:
Homeless Initiative. (2022, August 23). Give help. https://homeless.lacounty.gov/give-help/
Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. (n.d.). Affected by the L.A. fires? FEMA is offering resources including shelter. Go to main LAHSA website. https://www.lahsa.org/
Walters, D. (2025, March 19). Newsom’s new California homelessness plan leaves out some important details.CalMatters. https://calmatters.org/commentary/2025/03/newsoms-homelessness-plan-key-details/