California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) admitted that the state’s policies are to blame for its homelessness.
Newsom told “The Record with Greta Van Susteren” that California policies have prevented housing from being developed, contributing to homeless rates.
“I mean, because of our own policies and neglect, we put up our feet. We rested on our laurels. We allowed nimbyism to dominate in our state. We’re not building — it’s econ 101, supply and demand. We simply have not been building enough housing for decades and decades and decades. So the cost of living, affordability, has been the dominant challenge in our state,” Newsom said.
He claimed that Republican states have also seen an increase in homeless rates from a lack of housing.
“That said, I will say, having traveled across the United States, the issue of housing and homelessness is becoming more and more dominant. Red states, not just blue states, we’re down,” the governor explained. “You saw the new numbers last year in places like Florida that had a huge spike in homelessness. The housing costs, insurance costs across the board and states like Florida are increasingly challenging.”
“So it’s not surprising to me that in the economic plan that Kamala Harris put out, she talked about affordability and housing. Not just from the prism of being a former Californian as it relates to her time served in the state, but as the vice president — understanding the United States and its challenges,” Newsom said.
Newsom has previously claimed that his state set the “national model” for responding to homelessness.
During his announcement of a $3.3 billion fund to confront homelessness, Newsom said, “The state of California saw a decline in veteran homelessness; we are the national model.”
“What Proposition 1 did was it reinforced that model, provided more resources to advance that model, and we’re very excited to put those dollars to work.”
In July, Newsom ordered the removal of homeless encampments across the state. The executive order followed a June Supreme Court ruling that allowed cities to legally remove homeless encampments on private property.
The executive order “directs state agencies to move urgently to address dangerous encampments while supporting and assisting the individuals living in them — and provides guidance for cities and counties to do the same,” Newsom said in a press release. “The state has been hard at work to address this crisis on our streets. There are simply no more excuses. It’s time for everyone to do their part.”
