CALIFORNIA DREAMING –
March 19, 2023 – Newsom made the proposal during one of his final “state of the state” tour of cities across California at Alvarado Hospital, adjacent to San Diego State University, with several state and local officials.
The governor said “we have to address and come to grips” with providing permanent housing for the homeless, mental health treatment and drug addiction.
Newsom proposed a statewide initiative that would go before voters in November 2024 to “modernize how California treats mental illness, substance use disorder and homelessness.”
Part of the initiative would be paid for with general obligation bonds for building new community mental health facilities in California. More than 10,000 Californians with mental illness and substance abuse disorders would be served, Newsom said.
The ballot measure would also amend the state’s Mental Health Act, passed by voters about 20 years ago to fund programs for residents with serious mental health issues.
