You did it. Thank you for leaning in with us to mobilize everyday Angelenos to get behind Proposition 1. The proposal addressing root causes of homelessness led with 50.2% of the statewide vote when the race was called by the Associated Press. The breakdown of local results is notable: 54% of Los Angeles County voters backed Prop 1.
Governor Gavin Newsom held a press conference in Downtown LA to thank Californians for approving his plan to modernize the state's behavioral health system for the first time in two decades. I was proud to stand beside the governor with leaders from healthcare, law enforcement, fire departments, veterans affairs, and all levels of government.
I want to thank New California Coalition partners for amplifying our statewide messaging, as well as the following elected leaders who stood with us today: Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, who authored the BizFed-backed AB 531 funded by Prop 1; LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis; LA County Sheriff Robert Luna; and Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg.
📹 WATCH: Newsom's message to BizFed members
The real work to implement new homelessness solutions – fundamentally different from anything we've tried before – begins now. "Program passing is not problem solving," the governor reminded the group. Success hinges on local accountability. Newsom called on cities and counties to lean in as "partners and participants." LA County launched its CARE Court program in December. About 50 other counties have yet to follow suit. Here's what you need to know about next steps.
WHAT IT DOES: Passage of Prop 1 authorizes $6.38 billion in bond money to build 4,350 housing units (half of which will be reserved for veterans) and add 6,800 mental health and addiction treatment beds.
WHAT IT CHANGES: Counties will now be required to spend about two-thirds of funding from a 2004 tax on housing, treatment, and other programs for Californians with the greatest need.
WHY IT MATTERS: California has nearly one-third of the nation's homeless population. The state has approximately 5,500 treatment beds; it needs at least 8,000 more for people with mental health and addiction issues. About 42% of LA's jail population has mental illness.
Onward together!
Tracy Hernandez
BizFed Founding CEO
