Homelessness isn’t just a policy issue in California — it’s something all of us see every day. It’s in our neighborhoods, outside our small businesses, near our schools, and in parks that were once gathering places for families. It affects our sense of safety, our local economy, and the spirit of our communities.
But most importantly, it reminds us of people who have fallen through the cracks — people who need help, structure, and a path back to stability. The current system isn’t providing that, and Californians know it.
Right now, we are spending more than ever before — tens of billions of dollars — and yet the problem keeps getting worse. That tells us everything we need to know: the system is broken.
Why the Current Approach Isn’t Working
For years, California has relied on a “housing first” model, meaning we spend most of our time and money on building more units instead of addressing why people became homeless in the first place. The result?
- People are placed in units without treatment
- Addiction and mental health issues go unaddressed
- Many wind up back on the streets
- Billions are spent with no accountability
When we ignore root causes, we don’t solve homelessness — we just move it around.
The Real Root Causes
Most long-term homelessness in California is tied to:
- Severe mental health issues
- Drug addiction
- Lack of structure or access to treatment
- Release from prison without rehabilitation
- Economic instability and job loss
You cannot fix a life by giving someone an apartment key while ignoring the trauma or illness that put them there. Real recovery requires more than a bed — it requires healing, structure, accountability, and support.
My Approach: Treatment and Stability Before Permanent Housing
We need to rethink the entire system from the ground up. My plan begins with stabilizing people first — mentally, emotionally, and physically — before moving them into permanent housing.
That means:
✅ Mandatory treatment for those struggling with addiction or severe mental illness
✅ Structured rehabilitation instead of endless street cycles
✅ Transitional housing tied to recovery and job readiness
✅ Case management that tracks outcomes, not just headcounts
✅ Accountability for taxpayer dollars and measurable success metrics
This is not about punishment — it’s about progress. It’s about giving people a real path forward instead of leaving them stuck in survival mode.
How We Get There
My homelessness strategy focuses on three phases:
Phase 1: Stabilization
- On-site outreach teams focused on mental health & addiction
- Court diversion to treatment instead of jail for chronic cases
- Emergency housing linked to mandatory care where needed
Phase 2: Rehabilitation
- Counseling, detox, and treatment access
- Workforce preparation and life-skills training
- Partnerships with nonprofits and faith-based groups with proven success
Phase 3: Long-Term Housing & Reintegration
- Housing after individuals are ready to maintain stability
- Incentives for communities that successfully transition people off the streets
- Follow-up support so individuals don’t fall back into homelessness
This formula works — not just in theory, but in states and cities that replaced “hands-off” policies with structured recovery programs. California can do the same, but it requires leadership willing to prioritize outcomes over politics.
Accountability Matters
Right now, billions disappear into programs with no proof of success. Under my administration, homelessness spending will come with strict accountability:
- Every dollar will be trackable
- Every program must report measurable outcomes
- Funding follows results — not political connections
If a program can’t show progress, it shouldn’t receive taxpayer money. California families deserve transparency, not bureaucracy.
What Success Looks Like
Success doesn’t mean hiding people from view — it means helping them rebuild their lives.
Success looks like:
✅ Fewer tents on sidewalks
✅ A decline in overdoses and psychotic episodes on our streets
✅ People going back to work, back to their families, back to stability
✅ Communities feeling safe again
✅ Taxpayers seeing where their money goes
We don’t have to accept homelessness as “part of California.” It’s not inevitable — it’s a leadership failure. And leadership is something we can change.
A California That Heals and Rebuilds
Homelessness is not just a statistic — it’s people. Some need compassion. Some need structure. Most need both. And we owe it to them — and to our communities — to deliver real solutions that work in the long term, not temporary band-aids.
I believe we can restore dignity, rebuild accountability, and make California a place where recovery is possible and homelessness is preventable — not permanent.