Leaders from Stanislaus, other counties ask: Who’s responsible for homeless programs?
Leaders of several counties unveiled a plan for housing and reducing California’s homeless population, and the first step they said is clarifying the lines of responsibility.
Stanislaus County’s Vito Chiesa was on a panel of six county supervisors around the state that outlined the “AT HOME Plan” during a California State Association of Counties news conference Thursday on Zoom.
Other than obvious points like increasing the supply of housing, the plan calls for transparency and improving data sharing to make programs more effective, boosting the behavioral health workforce that assists the homeless and strengthening safety-net programs so more people don’t join the 171,000 who are unhoused in California.
Supervisors also made a controversial proposal to change environmental laws that empower neighbors to oppose affordable housing projects.
In addition, employment and education are essential to reducing the homeless population, the county elected officials said.
Keith Carson, an Alameda County supervisor, said more flexibility, less red tape and a streamlined process would help with building supportive housing for those who need it. He said affordable dwellings are lacking for older residents, the disabled, adults coming out of incarceration and California residents with the lowest incomes.
The CSAC board members said changes in state law and the state budget are necessary to implement the AT HOME Plan and address the humanitarian crisis.
Gov. Gavin Newsom recently has pressed for more energy from local government, including counties, to use ample resources provided by the state to implement programs for homeless people. Counties like Stanislaus operate under federal and state mandates to provide the health and human services needed to address homelessness.
When asked about the governor’s comments, CSAC Chief Executive Officer Graham Knaus said: “We thank the governor and Legislature, the county family and cities for incredible leadership and investments over the past several years. Were it not for those, we would not be in a position to have this conversation.”
Knaus said local government needs clarity on “who is supposed to be doing what,” how it’s funded, and the authority and flexibility to deliver results. “If we can’t achieve the results, we should be held accountable for that,” he said.
Chiesa said there are 11 separate funding streams to house people in Stanislaus County, many of whom are impaired by mental illness.
Local government is forced to piece together multiple funding sources for a single project, Chiesa said. Often the funding programs are too restrictive or do not line up with local needs.
Supervisor Chuck Washington of Riverside County said no level of government — counties, cities or the state — is solely responsible for addressing the homeless crisis, but the government entities need to be on the same page.
