Californians approve plan to address homelessness, critics say it’s not enough

by PBS News Hour Mar 21, 2024 6:30 PM EDT

California voters narrowly passed a ballot measure that will fund billions of dollars to help the state tackle its homelessness crisis. Gov. Newsom celebrated the victory, but opponents say it doesn’t do enough to keep people from becoming homeless in the first place and gives the state too much control over mental health spending. William Brangham discussed the initiative with Christine Mai-Duc.

About a third of the people who are homeless in America live in California. And, for years, it has been an endlessly vexing problem for the state.

Since many of these people also suffer from severe mental illness and addiction issues, the newly passed Proposition 1 includes a $6.4 billion bond to fund 11,000 housing units and treatment beds. It also funds $1 billion for homeless veterans.