Newsom’s homelessness insanity fails taxpayers

Gov. Newsom’s homelessness insanity fails taxpayers. California’s Housing First program helps make the problem even worse and costs citizens billions of dollars.

Housing First prioritizes immediate, "low barrier" access to housing for those living on the streets. While this may sound like an admirable mission, the requirements for living in housing are … nothing! There aren't any requirements, conditions or milestones such as sobriety or compliance with treatment or self-improvement.    Jim Desmond is a San Diego County Supervisor representing the Fifth District.

 Housing First prioritizes immediate, "low barrier" access to housing for those living on the streets. While this may sound like an admirable mission, the requirements for living in housing are … nothing! There aren't any requirements, conditions or milestones such as sobriety or compliance with treatment or self-improvement.  

All state-funded homeless programs must align with the core principles of Housing First, which include providing housing to tenants irrespective of their substance use. If the county or a nonprofit wants to add requirements that residents must be in treatment, or cannot use drugs or alcohol, then they are not eligible for state funding.  Housing First works for some. People who suddenly lose their income sources, a mom fleeing domestic violence and other circumstances occur in people's lives where they need a place to stay to get back on their feet. The problem is Housing First does not work for many people chronically on the street, but the state mandates it's the only approach allowed.  Free housing with no accountability or requirement for treatment of core issues and behavior perpetuates homelessness for many people addicted to drugs or alcohol and with severe mental health issues. These people need rules, support and accountability to incorporate back into society.