Homelessness

A homeless man's tent set up along the side of Golden State Boulevard just under Highway 41 in southwest Fresno on Feb. 11, 2022. Photo by Larry Valenzuela for CalMatters.

Homelessness

As Newsom pressures cities to clear homeless camps, they say this agency is moving too slow

Pending legislation would push Caltrans to work more closely with California cities on dismantling homeless encampments around its highways.

By Marisa Kendall • May 13, 2025

Surrounded by workers in hazmat suits and bright orange waste bags, Gov. Gavin Newsom helps clear a homeless encampment in San Diego.

Homelessness

Newsom wants cities to force homeless Californians to move camp every 3 days

In his latest push to crackdown on homeless encampments, Gov. Gavin Newsom urges cities to make certain camps illegal.

By Marisa Kendall • May 12, 2025

An encampment with scattered belongings, shopping carts, a tent covered in plastic, and a frosted artificial Christmas tree. A person stands near a chain-link fence while another sits by the tent. A worn trailer is in the background, and a dog is partially visible in the foreground.

Housing

‘Millions out on the street virtually overnight’: How Trump’s budget proposal could affect California

President Donald Trump's budget proposal in its present form would have huge effects on housing and homelessness in California.

By Ben Christopher and Marisa Kendall • May 5, 2025

A person wearing a red sweatshirt and glasses sits on a sidewalk, leaning against a building with their reflection visible in the window beside them. Trees and traffic are blurred in the background.

Homelessness

They found their homeless loved ones after years apart. But that was just the beginning

After reading a CalMatters article, two people were able to reconnect with their homeless relatives. Here’s what happened next.

By Marisa Kendall • May 1, 2025

An older person in a blue jacket leans forward to greet a child standing next to an adult. They are outside near a tent structure, with utility poles and wires in the background. The adult holds the child’s hand and watches the interaction.

Homelessness

What to do if your loved one is homeless

Finding a homeless loved one can be difficult. So can helping them once you’ve found them. Here are some tips from people who’ve been there.

By Marisa Kendall • May 1, 2025

A view of a person's back as they walk by gray and white tents on the sidewalk on a hot day in Los Angeles.

Homelessness

A new program trains college students for jobs helping homeless Californians. Can it survive?

Santa Monica College started the first community college program to train people for much-needed jobs in homeless services. But will its first cohort be its last?

By Marisa Kendall and Adam Echelman • April 22, 2025

A man with a short white beard and wearing a beige jacket sits inside a courtroom while they look down at their hands.

Homelessness

What happens after a homeless person is arrested for camping? Often, not much

Wickey Two Hands was supposed to be the first person tried for camping in Fresno. Instead, after the city and county poured resources into his case, it was dismissed at the last minute.

By Marisa Kendall • April 18, 2025

A "No Stopping at Any Time" sign, partially covered in graffiti, stands in the foreground of a landscaped area with spiky green and yellow plants. Behind it, a blue and gray industrial-style building with a metal roof is enclosed by a black fence. A concrete walkway with a railing leads toward the entrance. The sky is bright blue with scattered clouds, and a power transmission tower is visible in the distance.

Homelessness

California considers more homeless shelter oversight after CalMatters investigation

State lawmakers will debate a bill to require annual inspections, new complaint processes and harsher penalties for local governments that don’t file mandatory reports.

By Lauren Hepler • March 24, 2025

Housing

‘Quiet panic’ as national rental assistance program set to run out of cash

Federal housing authorities announced that a COVID-era emergency housing voucher is running out of cash — and there’s no plan to save it.

By Ben Christopher • March 18, 2025

Two people work together to assemble or repair a bicycle, focusing on the rear wheel. One person, wearing a light gray jacket and glasses, is seated while adjusting the bike frame. The other, dressed in a gray hoodie and jeans, leans over to assist. The perspective is low to the ground, emphasizing the bike's spokes and mechanical components. The setting is indoors, with bright overhead lighting.

Homelessness

How California homeless programs are helping people get fit and off the streets: ‘It’s the bike’

From biking in San Diego to running in San Francisco, these programs host workout groups specifically for homeless Californians.

By Marisa Kendall • March 10, 2025