Robert Mason, a 56-year-old homeless man, warms up a piece of doughnut over a bonfire he set to keep himself warm on Skid Row in Los Angeles. The number of homeless residents counted in Los Angeles County spiked again, increasing by 9% since last year in the latest marker of how deep the crisis is of people sleeping in cars, encampments or shelters in California. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
Statewide — On March 2, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced $291 million in new funding to help local communities expand housing and behavioral health services for people experiencing homelessness, while introducing new accountability measures tied to the state’s mental health treatment program.
State officials said the funding will support supportive housing, treatment services and homelessness prevention efforts as California works to move more people off the streets and into care. The announcement comes as the state reports a 9% drop in unsheltered homelessness, the first statewide decline in more than 15 years.
The funding is part of California’s implementation of the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment Act, known as the CARE Act, which allows courts to connect people living with untreated schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders with treatment plans, housing and social services.
“Care and accountability go hand in hand — full stop,” said Newsom in a statement. “Through CARE Court, we have seen inspirational stories of recovery and resilience, but many counties continue to lag behind their peers.”
Under the CARE Court system, family members, first responders or mental health professionals can petition a civil court to help individuals access treatment and housing services. The program began in several counties in 2023 and was expanded statewide by the end of 2024.
According to state officials, more than 3,800 CARE petitions have been filed, and more than 4,000 people have been connected with services through diversions that helped them access care without going through the court process.
As part of the announcement, Newsom recognized several counties as “CARE Champions” for strong implementation of the program, including Alameda County, Marin County and San Mateo County.
The governor also identified counties receiving additional support to improve implementation, including Los Angeles County, Orange County and San Francisco County.
The $291 million package includes $131.8 million through the state’s Homekey+ initiative to create 443 housing units for people experiencing homelessness and behavioral health challenges. Another $159 million will go to local governments through the state’s Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention program.
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Article By: Bo Tefu, California Black Media
