Newsom’s Past Efforts To Help San Francisco’s Homeless Problem Draw Scrutiny As Election Nears
Republican John Cox has accused Gavin Newsom of being a part of the “political class” whose policies have fueled the rise of homeless encampments. Newsom, however, has fired back that his efforts in San Francisco show he’s willing to take politically unpopular positions.
Los Angeles Times:
Gavin Newsom Slashed Welfare Checks To The Homeless, With The Goal Of Housing More People. Did It Work?
When San Francisco’s homelessness problem swelled in the early 2000s, Gavin Newsom endorsed a radical plan for the famously liberal city. Then a San Francisco supervisor on the rise, Newsom proposed slashing the amount of welfare for single homeless adults and instead using the funds on shelters, housing and services. Called Care Not Cash, the program sought to stop welfare recipients from spending their monthly checks on heroin or alcohol. (Smith, 10/23)
In other news on the crisis —
The California Health Report:
New App Connects San Francisco’s Homeless To Support, Services
Neil Shah walks these streets on a regular basis. As a compassionate responder for Concrn, a non-profit community-based crisis reporting service, Shah responds to reports of homeless people in distress. By downloading the Concrn mobile app (free on both Android and iPhone), the general public can use their smartphone to report non-emergency crisis situations involving the homeless. ...Retraining the public to call Concrn, rather than 911 in a non-emergency situation, is a task in itself, yet Concrn strives to do much more. Founded by local entrepreneur Jacob Savage, the non-profit also trains crisis responders to complement the city’s existing resources and reduce strain on 911 and law enforcement. (Childers, 10/22)
Orange County Register:
Orange County’s Homeless Shelter Program Expected To Continue At Armory Sites This Winter, With Possible Restrictions In Fullerton
The California National Guard armories in Santa Ana and Fullerton are again expected to operate as places for homeless people to sleep at night during the winter. The start date in Santa Ana is Dec. 1; Fullerton is less certain. Fullerton is in talks with the county to place restrictions on access to the Brookhurst Street military facility in order to discourage walkups and “increased homeless encounters in adjacent neighborhoods,” said Rebecca Leifkes, the city’s Housing and Neighborhood Services manager, in an email. (Walker, 10/22)