Homelessness

A silhouetted person stands in the foreground as a massive wildfire engulfs the hills in the distance. The night sky glows intensely red from the flames, and a house with its lights on is visible to the right, surrounded by trees.

Homelessness

How the LA fires could exacerbate California’s homelessness crisis

Lea esta historia en Español Jennielynn Holmes stood in the middle of a make-shift evacuation center when the scope of the crisis hit her. Surrounded by thousands of people that had just fled the Tubbs Fire that burned through Santa Rosa in 2017, Holmes realized many of these people would soon be added to the […]

By

Marisa Kendall

• January 15, 2025

A volunteer is seen crouching down to their knees to speak to a person inside a black and orange tent on a dark and early winter morning. Other volunteers can be seen nearby interviewing residents experiencing homelessness.

Homelessness

New homelessness data: How does California compare to the rest of the country?

Homelessness grew just 3% in California last year, compared to 18% nationwide.

By

Marisa Kendall

• January 6, 2025

Homelessness

Encampment sweeps become widespread: 2024 California homelessness year in review

Many California cities cracked down on homeless encampments after a Supreme Court ruling gave them the green light to arrest people.

By

Marisa Kendall

• December 30, 2024

Dr. Rishi Patel from the Akido Street Medicine team checks on an unhoused man living in a vineyard in Arvin on May 28, 2024. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Homelessness

Federal health care dollars are helping to house homeless Californians. Trump could stop that

Gov. Newsom launched an ambitious program that uses Medi-Cal to help Californians access housing, healthy food and more. Now, its fate is in the hands of President-Elect Trump.

By

Marisa Kendall

• December 12, 2024

A person wearing a beige jacket and cap walks down a city street, pulling a large, crumpled blue tarp. The scene is framed by tall buildings, parked cars, and a modern glass structure in the background. The muted urban setting is illuminated by soft, natural light, highlighting the quiet and solitary moment.

Housing

Busing people out of homelessness: How California’s relocation programs really work

Many California cities offer their homeless residents one-way bus tickets to other places.

By

Marisa Kendall

• November 26, 2024

A bulldozer carrying rubble from an homeless encampment to a garbage truck parked in the street while a worker looks on.

Homelessness

One issue Trump and Newsom agree on? Homeless encampments

Experts predict funding cuts and policy changes. But Trump and Newsom appear to agree on encampment sweeps.

By

Marisa Kendall

• November 8, 2024

A person wearing a pink leopard-patterned head wrap stands in front of a sidewalk with tents of homeless residents as her arms rest on her back.

Homelessness

LA has a different solution to homeless camps. But it’s not working for everyone

After a “chaotic” start, LA’s effort to clear homeless camps is making progress. But problems remain.

By

Marisa Kendall

• October 28, 2024

Tents line the curb at a homeless encampment in the Rampart Village neighborhood of Los Angeles on Nov. 17, 2021. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr./CalMatters

Homelessness

LA County voters face huge decision on homeless services funding

In Los Angeles County, where more than 75,000 people have nowhere to call home, voters will decide whether to tax themselves to help get people off the street.

By

Marisa Kendall

• October 8, 2024

Homelessness

Late payments to nonprofits hamper California’s fight against homelessness

Homeless service providers are scaling back and taking out loans as they wait for late payments from the government.

By

Marisa Kendall

• October 1, 2024

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

Homelessness

What happens to homeless people after encampment sweeps? That’s on cities, Gavin Newsom says

Lea esta historia en Español Whose fault is the California homelessness crisis? According to Gov. Gavin Newsom, cities and counties are to blame for failing to get people off the street — despite all the money he’s given them to do so. That was the message the governor pushed today as he signed a package […]

By

Marisa Kendall

• September 19, 2024