Homelessness

Two people face each other while standing on a grass-filled sidewalk during an early evening. The person on the right wears a yellow safety vest and holds a piece of paper. The person on the left wears a flannel jackets while surrounded by belongings.

Homelessness

Cities often squabble over homelessness. A new California law forces one community to try something different

New legislation forces the city and county of Sacramento to collaborate on homelessness. Stakeholders say it could have repercussions California-wide.

By Marisa Kendall • September 24, 2026

A man in a suit stands in front of seals for the Social Security Administration and its Office of the Inspector General.

Homelessness

$1 million in homeless funds for a nightclub? New LA fraud cases allege bribery and theft

Federal and local prosecutors unveil new cases and a guilty plea, while asking: Who was actually watching the books at the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority?

By Nick Gerda • September 17, 2026

A tent with shopping carts and plastic tarps on the sidewalk of a street in the middle of a city.

Homelessness

Reducing drug penalties likely increased homelessness in California, new report says

When Californians voted to reduce drug penalties in 2014, it likely had the unintended consequence of also increasing homelessness in the state, according to a new report. The report, released Thursday by the Public Policy Institute of California, set out to measure the long-term effects of Proposition 47 – a 2014 ballot measure that lowered […]

By Marisa Kendall • August 27, 2026

A row of tents and makeshift shelters, covered with tarps and surrounded by personal belongings, lines a grassy area near a railway under an overcast sky. A person wearing a dark coat and hat moves near a white tent. In the background, a train approaches on an elevated track, and scattered items, bicycles, and blue recycling bins are visible throughout the encampment.

Homelessness

Homeless counts dropped in these California counties this year

California reduced its official homeless count in 2025 after years of increases. Now, preliminary data for 2026 shows many places in the state are continuing to make progress. Counties up and down the state are reporting that their homeless populations dropped this year, citing early results of the point-in-time count conducted in January. Some of […]

By Marisa Kendall • August 21, 2026

A woman sits on a couch in her apartment while her dog sits on the floor in front of her.

Homelessness

Therapy in a tent: The healthcare many homeless Californians need but aren’t getting

Like many people who are or have been homeless, Jessica Scott struggles with debilitating anxiety. When she finally moved from her stepfather’s car into a Sacramento apartment a few weeks ago, she said one thing played a major role in helping her take that step: Therapy. “When you’re panicking so much that you can’t really […]

By Marisa Kendall • July 8, 2026

Resident Johnny Nielson walks through the DignityMoves tiny home village in downtown San Francisco, on Oct. 3, 2023. The program provides interim supportive housing to individuals experiencing homelessness. Photo by Loren Elliott for CalMatters

Homelessness

Judge shoots down Trump’s homeless funding shift: ‘The hallmark of unreasoned decision making’

In a legal win for California, a federal judge rejected President Trump’s efforts to funnel money away from permanent homeless housing.

By Marisa Kendall • July 2, 2026

Homelessness

What is the California Legislature doing about homelessness this year? These are the bills to watch

Bills moving through the Legislature this year address state-funded sober housing, RVs parked on city streets and homelessness prevention.

By Marisa Kendall • June 25, 2026

Homelessness

Trump renews push to shift homelessness funding. What’s at stake

The Trump administration wants to shift more money to homeless shelters that require sobriety, a change that would disrupt California's "housing-first" policies.

By Marisa Kendall • June 24, 2026

A person wearing a jacket labeled "LAHSA" on the back is seen from behind, standing near a pile of personal belongings and debris in an outdoor encampment. In the background, individuals interact near tents and tarps, with one person holding an item. Yellow caution tape partially frames the foreground, suggesting a restricted area or active cleanup operation. The scene takes place on a sunny day.

Homelessness

Trump administration blocks federal homelessness funds in Los Angeles

Fraud allegations by the Trump administration could cost the Los Angeles area hundreds of millions of dollars in federal homelessness funding.

By Marisa Kendall • June 11, 2026

A person wearing a yellow safety vest bends down to speak to someone sitting on a street curb, wearing a sweater and a blanket, with their back in view. In the background, another person is watching them, wearing a brown jacket and a backward baseball cap, as they stand near a city street at night.

Homelessness

Homelessness is down in California and across the country, says new federal report

The Trump administration downplayed the decline in homelessness, contending far more people are on the streets today than a decade ago.

By Marisa Kendall • May 30, 2026