Newsom's homelessness plan lacks implementation details

California Governor Gavin Newsom recently unveiled a new plan to tackle the state's homelessness crisis. The plan, titled "Action Plan for Preventing and Ending Homelessness in California 2025–2027," aims to address the growing number of unhoused people in the state, which has reached nearly 200,000. Despite its ambitious goals presented in over 100 pages, critics argue that the plan lacks crucial details. It outlines impressive targets, such as permitting 1.5 million homes, including 710,000 for low-income households. However, experts say achieving these goals would require a dramatic increase in housing construction and substantial financial investment, which the plan does not address. The plan was drafted by Newsom's Interagency Council on Homelessness, which has previously been criticized for poor tracking of homelessness spending. In a recent report, the state auditor highlighted a lack of accountability and effective results in addressing the issue. This criticism has put pressure on Newsom's administration. While Newsom claims the plan includes "quantifiable goals" and accountability, many believe it does not provide clarity on funding or logistics. The state faces ongoing budget deficits, making it difficult to implement such a massive undertaking without clear financial backing. On the day after the plan's release, the California State Association of Counties pointed out flaws in the current system of addressing homelessness. They argued that no single entity is responsible for ensuring people receive necessary services, which hampers effective treatment. Overall, critics are concerned that without a detailed and actionable framework, the new plan may not succeed in alleviating homelessness in California, a problem that has persisted despite significant spending in recent years.