SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – Gov. Gavin Newsom will kick off his statewide policy tour today with some big ideas to tackle California's housing crisis.
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The Governor is opting for the road show instead of a more traditional State of the State Address. Sacramento serves as the first stop of the tour where he'll lay out the details of his housing plan, which centers around a proposed $1 billion — money available for local communities to reach the goal of cutting their unhoused population 15% by 2025.
The Governor stated that housing is the root of many of the state's challenges. "The cost of living, the cost of housing, foundation directly connected to the issue of homelessness, it's directly connected with the issues that drive so much of our frustration with the Golden State," Newsom said.
He is also calling for more tiny homes and plans to mobilize the California National Guard to deliver 1,200 of the homes to poor communities, including 200 to San Jose.
Republicans have been critical of Newsom's spending on homeless programs, but San Jose State Political Scientist Larry Gerston said few proposals from the Governor or the legislature even match the scale of the crisis.
"Until policy makers are ready to fully embrace the many facets of homelessness that go beyond putting a roof on somebody's head, we're just going to be sort of like walking on a treadmill," he explained.
Newsom will detail his public safety plan tomorrow with a visit to the Bay Area.
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