by Hannah Beserra
Governor Gavin Newsom of California is giving a tremendous amount of $6 billion dollars aimed at fighting the increasing homelessness and mental health crisis in California. Proposition 1, a ballot measure scheduled for March 5th, seeks to overhaul the Mental Health Services Act and Assembly Bill 531. Additionally, it proposes a $6.38 billion bond to construct new mental health housing and substance abuse treatment centers across California, marking a significant investment in addressing these issues at hand.
At a recent conference, Newsom emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “We can’t continue to do what we’ve done. You’ll get what we’ve got.” This initiative has gathered widespread support, including state law enforcement, first responders, lawmakers, citizens, and even people who live outside of the state. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed the importance of addressing the underlying causes of homelessness, saying, “People are willing to come off the street, but you have to address why they are unhoused to begin with.”
Proposition 1 aims to allocate funds towards hiring more mental health professionals and constructing over 11,000 new behavioral health beds and housing units, along with nearly 27,000 outpatient treatment slots. Brian Rice from the California Professional Firefighters union stressed the urgent need for action, in agreement he says, “What we see now, it’s not working.”
Newsom recently toured a mental health and substance abuse treatment facility in the Coachella Valley, using the opportunity to advocate for Proposition 1. He highlighted the critical shortage of mental health beds in the state, noting that while there were 37,000 beds available in the 1960s, the number has decreased to 5,500 today. Newsom yet again underlines the importance of addressing the homelessness in our state of California, claiming that Prop. 1 would authorize and fund an additional 11,000 beds.
Contrary voices, such as Assemblyman Bill Essayli, express worries towards Proposition 1, arguing that simply throwing money at the issue will not solve it. However, Newsom contends that Prop. 1 represents a redirection of existing funds, not a tax increase. He stressed the need for policy changes and enforcement measures to complement financial investments.
Proposition 1 is facing large amounts of criticism for potentially diverting funds from existing programs. Nonetheless, Newsom promises that it is a crucial step towards addressing the homelessness crisis, which negatively affects California. With nearly a third of the nation’s homeless population residing in the state, and around 181,000 Californians in need of housing, the gravity of the problem is immense.
Newsom’s administration has already donated significant funds towards addressing homelessness, including converting rundown motels into housing and providing grants for treatment facilities. Proposition 1 is hailed as the final piece in Newsom’s plan to maintain California’s mental health system, complementing previous legislative efforts aimed at facilitating involuntary treatment for individuals with health issues.
In conclusion, Proposition 1 represents a significant investment in tackling California’s homelessness and mental health crises. While it faces criticism and skepticism, its advocates argue that it is a necessary step towards addressing the root causes of these issues and providing much-needed support to vulnerable populations across the state.
beniciapaw.com 