SACRAMENTO – On Tuesday, Senator Scott Wilk, R – Antelope Valley, announced that he has introduced legislation to address California’s ongoing homeless crisis.
“The state of California must do more to solve our homeless crisis,” said Wilk. “This bill is the next step in my approach to help us do that. I am proud of the progress we have made in that direction but we must do more.”
The legislation, Senate Bill 792, stems from a report released last month by the California State Auditor who, at the request of Wilk, investigated California’s efforts to solve the homeless problem and found woeful inadequacies detailed in the scathing report.
“I am thankful to the State Auditor for digging deep into this issue and laying out a pathway forward in her report,” said Wilk. “It is time now that we as a legislature continue down that path and SB 792 is will set us well on our way.”
The bill comes on the heels of a budget allocation requested by Wilk to fully fund the state’s Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council. Both the budget request – which was conditionally granted by both the Senate and the Governor earlier in May – and the legislation seek to enact key State Auditor recommendations laid out in the Wilk-initiated report.
The Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council was created in 2016 to coordinate the state’s approach to homelessness but was never allocated funding or staff and was never given any specific tasks. Wilk’s new legislation aims to accomplish the latter by requiring the Council to create a statewide strategic plan and to assist local agencies in addressing homelessness. The bill additionally establishes deadlines for the completion of those requirements.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
Tweet This
Facebook
Digg This
Bookmark
Stumble
RSS
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.
6 Comments
They have no idea what to do ! Appointment after Appointment
I suppose it needs to be done but there needs to be more emergency action taken. Today. People should be off the streets now not months or years from now.
Empty Government buildings should be used to help.
Maybe pay people to house them like Foster kid families are paid?
The homeless issue is largely connected to addiction. After treatment, the recommended sober living follow-up is impossible in Santa Clarita. There is only one long-term sober living in Santa Clarita. When a loved one is sent to treatment, they require a strong aftercare regiment and assistance with gaining employment and a stable environment, to continue on a path to rebuilding their lives and relationships. Addicts line up for free EBT and free Obama phones and trade them for more drugs. Strong long-term sober living homes are needed in Santa Clarita to help mend our community and stave off homelessness. Thank you.
I agree, sober living is needed!
Santa Clarita city does not seem to want sober living places here. They are afraid it will bring addicts from other areas here I guess. They need to understand our kids want to stay near their families and support system. Enroll in COC get local job and continue with a sober life. Believe me the homeless population would be cut by 2/3 if free rehab and 6 month to 1 year sober living in SCV was available. I think city would save money and lives instead of pouring money down a hole to provide services to homeless. Quit following the County ideas of how to help and come up with a way to help LOCAL addicted citizens with LOCAL REHAB and SOBER LIVING. You need hundreds of beds!
Wait let me guess. Raise taxes?