As of August 2024, California has approved the investment of 570 million dollars in housing the homeless. According to a fact sheet, California has the largest number of homeless people in the United States. The Department of Social Services has decided to create permanent homes for over 3,000 people who are currently homeless or facing homelessness across the state.
This act is called the Community Care Expansion Program. It hopes to create facilities in which homeless individuals living in all parts of California can stay in a warm bed without having to worry about where they will sleep at night. These facilities are spread across the state, including Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, Bakersfield, the Bay Area, and Mendocino. Sacramento alone has used 14 million dollars to create homes for the homeless.
Another thing the CCEP hopes to achieve from this program is to help those suffering from mental illness, disabilities, and substance abuse. An article titled ‘California Approves $570 Million to House the Homeless’ talks about their efforts to help those in need and states, “Seniors across the state are at an increased risk of homelessness, with nearly half of single homeless adults being 50 years or older”. This illustrates the increasing need for homes for Californian citizens, but it’s not just this state in need.
The governor of California, Gavin Newsom, incredibly supports the CCEP. A video posted by Fox 11 Los Angeles on YouTube shows Newson clearing an encampment created by homeless people, offering the eleven individuals shelter and help. Newsom was interviewed and asked why he came to clean up the street and offer assistance to the unhoused when others would have ignored them and walked away; he replied, “I’m here on behalf of 40 million Californians who are fed up. I’m here because I’m one of them. I want to see results. I don’t want to read about them, I don’t want to see the data, I want to see it.” Newson wants to see real change. He hopes to help those in need in California, as he is the Governor, but he wants to see this change worldwide. He does not want people to see people compare homelessness to laziness; he wants people to give them a chance to prove that they are trying their best. “This is not about criminalization. What’s criminal is neglecting people who are struggling and suffering and dying on our watch. That’s criminal.” – Gavin Newson.
Thein housing the homeless. The Department of Social Services has taken actions that will create permanent homes for over 3,000 people who are currently homeless or facing homelessness across the state. The Department of Social Services hopes to change how the world views homelessness everywhere by creating a safe place to call home with the help of California and The Department of Social Services hope to change how the world views homelessness everywhere, creating a safe place to call home with the help of the Community Care Expansion Program. It hopes to build facilities where homeless individuals living in all parts of California can stay in a warm bed without worrying about where they will Community Care Expansion Program. The state of California is making a difference with this act, creating stepping stones for those looking to achieve a better life and allowing them to find a means to an end.
