SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KGTV) — California Governor Gavin Newsom is allocating additional millions in state funding to local governments to address homelessness. This time, the state is emphasizing improved accountability regarding how funds are used by cities, including San Diego.
San Diego City, along with San Diego County and the Regional Task Force on Homelessness, is set to receive its fifth round of funding aimed at aiding the homeless. The city will obtain approximately half of the nearly $59 million allocated by the state to the region. In order to receive these funds, local governments and agencies must upload progress reports online, which will then be made available on the state’s Housing Assistance Program website.
According to state data, this grant represents the largest funding amount San Diego has received through the Housing Assistance Program (HAP). The city is anticipated to receive $29.9 million based on a point-in-time count. San Diego has indicated plans to allocate $17.4 million—over half of the grant—toward interim housing solutions. Additionally, a document from February detailed that the city would also direct around $4.5 million towards homeless prevention and shelter diversion initiatives.
An audit released by the state in April criticized San Diego’s management of previous homeless funding, stating that city officials had spent hundreds of millions on homelessness without adequately reporting on the funding and services provided. Furthermore, it highlighted that the city did not assess the effectiveness of its funded programs.
Newsom’s administration has pledged to improve oversight to ensure that local governments use and monitor the funds responsibly. The Governor has also allocated over $14 million to San Diego County and roughly $15 million to the Regional Task Force on Homelessness.
Officials from San Diego County informed ABC 10 News on Wednesday that they intend to utilize the funds to sustain existing county programs, primarily the local rental subsidy initiative and the Housing Our Youth program. These programs are designed to offer supportive services, as well as emergency and permanent housing solutions for individuals experiencing homelessness.
The funding acceptance will need to be voted on by the San Diego City Council and the San Diego Board of Supervisors, although this vote is expected to be a formality.
