We’ve spent billions, people are still suffering, and the system rewards failure.
PROBLEM
- California’s housing shortage and high rents have pushed thousands of people into homelessness.
- Once on the streets, many people develop or worsen substance abuse and mental health conditions.
- Billions have been spent responding to visible suffering instead of fixing root causes, with programs focused on managing homelessness rather than ending it.
- Spending is spread across agencies and nonprofits with little accountability for whether people actually exit homelessness.
- Leaving people without housing or treatment allows a crisis to become chronic.
SOLUTION
- Treat people as people first, with dignity, respect, and individualized plans that include clear expectations and accountability.
- Expand access to housing quickly, using temporary and transitional housing to stabilize people with structure and supervision before permanent placement.
- Address addiction and mental health needs through evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation for those who need it.
- Pair housing with services — including job training and case management — so stability leads to independence, not long-term dependency.
- Prioritize veterans and the most vulnerable for immediate stabilization and recovery-focused housing.
- Audit homelessness programs for results, requiring strict oversight and measurable outcomes so funding goes to solutions that actually move people off the streets and into stable lives.