Homelessness
California counties must jump through new hoops to get homelessness funds
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration is pressuring local leaders to pass ordinances regulating homeless encampments, among other requirements.
Homelessness
Homelessness
Cities can’t punish outreach workers for helping homeless Californians under new law
A new law going into effect Jan. 1, 2026 prevents cities from penalizing outreach workers who provide services such as legal aid or hand out blankets at encampments.
Homelessness
New California law expands Newsom’s mental health court
A California new law expands CARE Court, a mental health program championed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, to include some people diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Homelessness
Year in review: Homelessness policy gets more punitive
State and local governments became more aggressive in sweeping homeless encampments in 2025, among other measures.
Mental Health
Everything you need to know about how to use California’s new mental health court
Who is eligible for CARE Court? How do I file a petition? Can this program force someone into treatment? Read on to find out.
Homelessness
Why Newsom’s CARE Court has struggled to help homeless Californians most in need
CARE Court was supposed to be a new way to help homeless Californians in the grip of psychosis. But people are still falling through the cracks.
Homelessness
Lawsuits challenge Trump administration’s radical homeless policy changes
Gov. Gavin Newsom, Santa Clara County and San Francisco are suing the Trump administration over a huge shift in homelessness policy.
Homelessness
What veto drama and a Texas trip tell us about a potential shift in California’s homelessness strategy
California is under pressure to embrace more temporary homeless shelters and programs that require sobriety, at the potential expense of long-term housing.
Homelessness
California braces for ‘devastating’ expected cuts to federal homeless housing funds
Thousands of Californians could return to homelessness as the feds reportedly plan to disinvest from permanent housing.
Homelessness
Newsom vetoes bill for sober homeless housing
The bill by a San Francisco Democrat would have allowed some state-funded homeless housing projects to require sobriety.