Homelessness

A worker in a white protective suit and neon safety vest bends over to collect belongings at a street encampment. Cardboard pieces and a yellow tent are visible beside the railing, with city trucks and police nearby.

Homelessness

Gov. Newsom launches new task force to clear California homeless encampments

The task force, made up of six different state agencies, is the latest effort by the Newsom administration to remove homeless encampments from California’s streets.

By

Marisa Kendall

• August 29, 2025

A tattooed person in a trucker hat and red bandana covering their face plays guitar on a city street, while another person in a plaid shirt and jeans walks past. Behind them, tents, tarps, and piles of belongings line the sidewalk near a fenced industrial building.

Homelessness

California cities lack unified response on homeless encampments

When it comes to clearing homeless encampments, California cities are governed by a patchwork of very different policies.

By

Marisa Kendall

• August 21, 2025

A row of tents lines a sidewalk next to a chain-link fence in an urban area. A person wearing a hoodie and backpack stands near the tents, surrounded by scattered belongings and trash. Parked vehicles line the street to the right, and multi-story buildings are visible in the background under an overcast sky.

Homelessness

Trump’s crackdown on homelessness: What does it mean for California?

Trump’s call to enforce bans on encampments echoes Newsom’s policy. But the president wants to upend two other core tenets of California’s homelessness response.

By

Marisa Kendall

• July 25, 2025

Two Los Angeles police officers oversee the cleanup of a homeless encampment on a beach, behind yellow police tape labeled "DO NOT CROSS." A shirtless person wearing a black hat organizes belongings on a stroller packed with personal items, including a pool noodle and bags. One officer carries a large trash bag, while another stands nearby with arms crossed. Various items, including coolers, bedding, and snacks, are strewn on the sand. The ocean is visible in the background under a clear blue sky.

Homelessness

They were repeatedly ticketed because of their homelessness. What did it change?

In Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Diego, homeless Californians describe their experiences over the past year as camping ban enforcement has increased.

By

Marisa Kendall

,

Aaron Schrank

and

Lisa Halverstadt

• June 27, 2025

A side view of a man on a bike next to homeless tents lined up along a sidewalk underneath a highway in Sacramento.

Homelessness

In major cities and more rural areas, arrests and citations rose in the months following last summer’s Supreme Court decision. In some places, officials insist the events are unrelated.

By

Marisa Kendall

• June 27, 2025

Homelessness

Homelessness is top of mind for many Californians. Why does the proposed budget eliminate funding for it?

California’s main source of homelessness funding would drop from $1 billion last year to $0 this year in the proposed state budget.

By

Marisa Kendall

• June 16, 2025

Mental Health

California voters passed a $6.4 billion mental health bond. Now, see where that money is going

It can take a long time to build anything in California. The governor's office is trying to move fast on mental health projects funded by a new bond.

By

Marisa Kendall

,

Jocelyn Wiener

and

Erica Yee

• June 12, 2025

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

Federal DEI, ‘wokeness’ restrictions put California homeless providers in a bind

The largest source of federal homelessness grant dollars now includes restrictions on promoting DEI language and concerns.

By

Ben Christopher

and

Marisa Kendall

• June 12, 2025

From left, Andrea Zeppa, homeless services regional coordinator for Alameda County Healthcare for the Homeless, and Deidra Perry, program financial manager for Alameda County Healthcare for the Homeless, team up during Alameda County’s 2024 point-in-time count in Berkeley, on Jan. 25, 2024. The PIT count, which included a voluntary survey, gathers data on the county’s homeless population. Photo by Loren Elliott for CalMatters

Housing

Fewer unhoused people are living on Inland Empire streets

Fewer people were living outside or in shelters in San Bernardino County. In Riverside, more people were in shelters than last year but fewer were on the streets.

By

Deborah Brennan

• June 4, 2025

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

Why California’s biggest local effort to fight homelessness is starting all over again

California cities and counties are supposed to work together to help their homeless residents. But those partnerships can be fraught.

By

Marisa Kendall

• May 20, 2025