California Governor Newsom Introduces New Measures to Enhance Homelessness Program Accountability

Governor Gavin Newsom announces a comprehensive plan to increase oversight of local government efforts in addressing homelessness, following a critical state audit.

Newsom's initiative includes stricter benchmarks and potential penalties for cities and counties that fail to meet homelessness reduction goals.
$192 million in grants allocated to 17 communities to aid in moving homeless individuals from encampments to shelters or housing.
The plan expands the role of the state's Housing Accountability Unit to enforce compliance and monitor the effectiveness of local programs.
Recent audits reveal California's failure to track and assess the impact of billions spent on homelessness, prompting the new accountability measures.
Local governments will be required to plan for housing for extremely low-income residents, with future funding contingent on meeting these plans.