California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a program Friday that distributes $50 million in funds to local governments to help individuals experiencing homelessness move from encampments to housing.
The Encampment Resolution Grant program was created as a part of Newsom’s $12 billion homeless release package, which aims to give housing to approximately 44,000 people in California living in encampments, according to a press release. Newsom said in the press release that the program is a step toward providing “dignified housing options” for people exiting homelessness.
“The situation with encampments in California is unacceptable,” said Newsom in the press release. “I refuse to accept the status quo — our fellow Californians suffering in tents, under highway overpasses, exposed to the elements and living in unsanitary conditions.”
To receive a portion of the funds, local governments must submit an application to the California Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council, or HCFC, that proposes what they would use the money for.
The HCFC will focus on distributing funds to local governments that propose to address high-priority encampments that pose threats to health and safety, according to the press release. Those that propose to provide services for people living in such high-priority encampments and sustainably restore public spaces used for encampments to their original function will receive funds as well.
“These funds will be available on a competitive basis to local governments that commit to addressing specific, persistent encampments by using these resources to provide pathways to permanent housing for individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness,” the press release said.
Mayor Jesse Arreguín wrote in an email that his office and city of Berkeley staff are working together to find the best way to take advantage of the program. He noted that it is still unclear how much funding Berkeley will receive.
The city has already invested millions of dollars to support the local homeless population and put them on the path to permanent housing, Arreguín added. He said in the email the city has successfully housed 485 people since 2018.
“There is still plenty of work to be done, and receiving support from the State will be helpful in accelerating our efforts,” Arreguín said in the email.
