Newsom sets ambitious goal to reduce homelessness by 15%

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a goal to reduce the number of unsheltered homeless people in the state by 15% in two years and plans to provide 1,200 tiny homes to help achieve that goal. The state is home to over 171,000 homeless individuals, with more than 115,000 people living outside. Newsom has dedicated roughly $15 billion to the problem since the start of the pandemic and has halted state funding to local governments that submitted inadequate plans to receive funding from the state’s Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Grant Program. Critics argue that greater investments are needed to provide permanent housing options and substance use and mental health treatment programs.