OPINION | This article contains the author's opinion.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, has faced criticism for failing to address the state’s growing homelessness crisis, despite previously pledging to aggressively tackle the issue.
Since taking office in 2018, Newsom has struggled to fulfill promises made during his mayoral campaign in 2003 and his 2017 run for governor, including the development of 3.5 million new housing units.
“Twenty years ago, then-Mayor Newsom laid out his 10-year plan to end homelessness in San Francisco,” California GOP chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson said. (Trending: Obama Reveals His Fear For Joe Ahead Of 2024)
“Not only does the problem remain unsolved today, but in the time since, he has taken his failures statewide, where communities across California are grappling with the devastating homeless crisis.”
“Instead of focusing on bashing red states or hitting the late-night talk show circuit while foolishly eyeing a promotion to the White House, Gov. Newsom should pay attention to the actual job he was elected to do and work with Republicans to find real solutions for the Golden State,” Patterson added.
“Since 2020, California’s overall homeless population has increased about 6%, compared to just 0.4% in the rest of the country,” PPIC wrote.
“A 17% increase in the homeless but sheltered population accounts for almost all of California’s change, while the more visible unsheltered population increased 2%.”
“The rest of the country’s unsheltered population grew faster than California’s (4%), while its sheltered population actually shrank (-2%),” they added.
“I realize building 3.5 million new housing units is an audacious goal – but it’s achievable,” Newsom said. “There is no silver bullet to solve this crisis.”
Reports indicate that California’s homeless population has continued to increase, with a significant proportion remaining unsheltered.
The governor’s handling of homeless encampments ahead of a high-profile summit also drew public scrutiny.
“We need to attack the problem on multiple fronts by generating more funding for affordable housing, implementing regulatory reform and creating new financial incentives for local jurisdictions that produce housing while penalizing those that fall short,” he added.
“I know folks are saying, ‘Oh they’re just cleaning up this place because all those fancy leaders are coming to town,'” Newsom said. “That’s true, because it’s true – but it’s also true for months and months and months before APEC [Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit], we’ve been having conversations.”
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