The Guardian: Newsom threatens to pull funds unless California cities crack down on homelessness

[Dennis Donovan]

The Guardian - Newsom threatens to pull funds unless California cities crack down on homelessness

‘We’re not going to fund failure,’ says governor, who warned local authorities they could lose out on millions of dollars

Dani Anguiano
Tue 25 Feb 2025 16.20 EST

California’s governor warned cities and counties that they could lose out on hundreds of millions of dollars in state funding if they do not make progress in clearing out encampments and tackling homelessness.

Gavin Newsom’s comments on Monday, while announcing $920m in funding to address the crisis, come as he escalates efforts to push local governments to take greater action. Last summer, Newsom told counties he could withhold state support if they failed to do more homeless encampment sweeps.

“We want to see results. We have to address unsheltered homelessness, encampments and tents,” Newsom said. “We have been too permissive … we need them cleaned up. We’re providing unprecedented support, now we need to see unprecedented results.

“If we don’t, we’re not going to continue to fund excuses, [we’re] not going to continue to fund failure.”

California’s homelessness crisis is the worst in the US with roughly one-third of the country’s population of unhoused people, which experts attribute to a lack of affordable housing in the state. A 2023 count found that more than 180,000 people in the state were experiencing homelessness, including 123,000 people who were unsheltered or living outside on the streets in tents, trailers, cars and makeshift shelters.

/snip

[Lovie777]

1. surprising that it's rarely mention that...........

other states give one way tickets to California.

[Historic NY]

2. Build affordable housing

Veterans should be housed at under used VA facilities.

Catering to the lifestyle as some would call it isn't accomplishing anything. Some cities do, because of NIMBY

Again 'gentrification' is a huge cause in unaffordable housing.

[quaint]

4. Prop 19 change to Prop 13 should help.

You are going to have to live in a house you inherit to also inherit Prop 13 assessment, as I understand it.

[Earl_from_PA]

6. Trying to change prop 13

Is dangerous territory.
If social security is "the third rail" of national politics, prop 13 is the third rail of California politics.

Property valuation assessments only happen when a property is sold. Possession transfer, as is the case in inheritance, is not a sale. Because no actual money changes hands.

I fully remember the promises made to the voters to get prop 13 passed. For taxation purposes, the value of any residential property is what it was when it was last sold.

Altering that, opens the door to annual property tax increases. This will not go over well...

[quaint]

7. Prop 19 went into effect in 2021.

How Prop 19 affects Prop 13 (AI)

Reassessment exemptions
Prop 19 narrows the exemptions that protected property transfers between parents and children, and grandparents and grandchildren.

Reassessment of inherited homes
Inherited homes that aren't used as primary residences must be reassessed at market value.

Base year value transfers
Prop 19 allows base year value transfers for people over 55, the severely disabled, and disaster victims.

[Deuxcents]

3. There must be empty buildings, unused office spaces, empty strip malls and the like..

Those funds could help go towards giving contractors permits to convert them into apartments..even if just temporary. Puts people to work and gives dignity and hope for those finding themselves on the streets these days. Puts people and money to work instead of throwing it at the problem..solve it

[Auggie]

5. Start by kicking Private Equity out of the housing market