homelessness

A man walks at the homeless encampment located along Coleman Avenue between West Hedding Street and Asbury Street in San Jose on June 22, 2021. Photo by Dai Sugano, Bay Area News Group

Homelessness

A new homelessness strategy is sweeping California

Homelessness prevention shows promising results in California, as advocates push to spread it statewide and nationally.

By

Marisa Kendall

• March 25, 2026

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

Commentary

Kids with no safe place to rest at night are becoming chronically homeless adults

Only 3% of the state’s homeless beds are reserved for youth, which feeds a pipeline to chronic homelessness. Most vulnerable: foster kids.

By Jevon Wilkes • March 23, 2026

The inside of a building under construction with exposed framing and tools laying around.

Homelessness

10 projects from Newsom’s mental health bond were supposed to open in 2025. That didn’t happen

Projects that are supposed to offer mental health and substance use care to foster youth, new mothers, unhoused people and other vulnerable Californians have been delayed or cancelled.

By

Marisa Kendall

• March 12, 2026

Dr. Mathew Beare examines a patient's foot at a meeting area near the Kern River on March 16, 2023. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Health

Trump’s Medicaid work mandate could kick thousands of homeless Californians off coverage

A majority of California’s roughly 180,000 people experiencing homelessness have health insurance through Medi-Cal. Providers predict that many will lose insurance under President Donald Trump’s upcoming work mandates even if they qualify for exemptions.

By

Kristen Hwang

• March 5, 2026

A group of officials stands inside a building under construction with exposed wooden framing. One person speaks at a podium with a sign that reads “TREATMENT NOT TENTS,” while others stand behind them listening. Temporary work lights hang overhead, and unfinished walls and beams fill the background.

Mental Health

Newsom threatens California counties for failing to use his new mental health court

Far fewer people with mental illness are getting help in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s CARE Court program than expected. This week, he blamed local governments for shortcomings.

By

Marisa Kendall

• March 2, 2026

A bearded person wearing a black “Chico State” T-shirt and cap sits on a low concrete planter holding papers, posed in a courtyard framed by tall concrete columns and rows of windows, with a library entrance visible behind them and a few people walking through the background.

Education

1 in 10 Cal State students face homelessness. This emergency housing program helps

California spent $31 million last year helping students facing homelessness with emergency housing and other services through Rapid Rehousing. The program operates at most public universities and about a quarter of community colleges, helping thousands of students who are either homeless or housing insecure, such as one student who was sleeping in a garage.

By

Khadeejah Khan

• February 24, 2026

Silhouette of a person standing at a railing looking out into a bay with boats and the skyline of buildings in the background. The run is shining down, reflecting in the bay and creating shadows on the person and ships around the frame.

Mental Health

Listen: What happens when Californians with mental illness refuse to be treated?

One of Gov. Newsom's signature mental health programs was meant to bring treatment to people who refused it. So far, it's helping fewer Californians than many hoped.

By

Julie Wernau

and

Dan Gorenstein

• February 5, 2026

Homelessness

Can AI help make homeless Californians healthier?

A California company is using AI to help diagnose homeless Californians. The technology promises better access to health care, but it also raises questions.

By

Marisa Kendall

• January 27, 2026

People stand in front of a row of tents along the sidewalk of a street. The tents are decorated with various words and graffiti.

Commentary

It ‘took a village’ to heal her trauma and homelessness. Will California keep funding this help?

California’s Prop 36 has put at risk the funding stream for the state’s 24 Trauma Recovery Centers, which provide a variety of services to crime victims.

By Kathy Brown-Lowe • January 26, 2026

A person stands near a tent on the sidewalk of a street while they eat a bowl of soup. The street is lined with cars and surrounded housing buildings.

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.

By

Marisa Kendall

and

Ben Christopher

• January 16, 2026