California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Monday that the state would be making nearly $300 million available to local municipalities for the purpose of clearing out homeless encampments and assisting in finding housing for those experiencing homelessness.
The funds will be directed to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to not only remove camps on state property, but also to provide resources and assistance to the homeless population in finding alternative places to live, as per Fox News.
California Governor Allocates $300M for Homelessness
During a virtual news briefing, Governor Newsom emphasized the importance of addressing the underlying issues causing homelessness rather than simply displacing individuals from encampments. He stated, "We're trying to resolve the underlying issues in the first place and actually support people in getting them back on their feet to self-sufficiency."
To ensure accountability, agencies utilizing the funds will be held to minimum expectations and standards. Governor Newsom's office also revealed that over 5,700 encampments have been cleared since July 2021 as part of the state's Encampment Resolution Fund.
The $299 million made available to local jurisdictions will be awarded through competitive grants, requiring cities and counties to apply with the California Interagency Council on Homelessness. Applications will be accepted until the end of June or until the funds are exhausted.
Meghan Marshall, executive officer of the council, emphasized that housing is the key solution to homelessness. The grants aim to assist local partners in helping unhoused individuals move out of unsafe and unsightly encampments and into safe and stable homes.
Since 2021, 66 communities have already received $414 million from the Encampment Resolution Fund. The funds allocated to the transportation department will aid in relocating encampments away from hazardous areas, such as near freeways or park and rides, according to USA Today.
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Caltrans Chief's Pledge for Homeless Housing
Caltrans Deputy Division Chief Alisa Becerra highlighted their commitment to connecting people experiencing homelessness on their right-of-way to more secure housing situations provided by local partners.
The previous distributions from the Encampment Resolution Fund have already benefited over 13,000 homeless individuals, and this latest round of funding is anticipated to help another 10,000 people.
Governor Newsom emphasized that the efforts to clear encampments are motivated by safety concerns. He stated, "Encampments are not safe for the people living in them or for community members around them." The state's focus is to provide funding to move individuals into housing and address the persistent and dangerous nature of encampments.
Cities, counties, and continuums of care throughout California are eligible to apply for the grant money through the California Interagency Council on Homelessness until June of next year. The funds will support street outreach teams and facilitate partnerships between local governments and Caltrans in their efforts to address and resolve the issue of encampments.
Deputy Division Chief Alisa Becerra reinforced the collaborative nature of this endeavor, stating, "The strength of this effort relies on collaboration, trust, and a shared commitment to creating real solutions that help the people who need it most," CBS News reported.
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