Housing & homelessness
Here’s how we are tackling homelessness and building more housing.
Holding cities and counties accountable
Governor Newsom has transformed California’s approach to housing and homelessness. His Administration has directed billions to address these issues. But with more resources comes greater accountability at the local level. New regional plans now direct communities to commit to solutions that reduce homelessness. The administration also launched the Housing and Homeless Accountability Unit. This ensures communities follow the law and do their part in addressing local issues.
Getting and keeping more people in housing
Programs like Roomkey and Homekey have helped tens of thousands of Californians experiencing or at risk of homelessness find housing. These programs rapidly turned hotels, motels, and other existing properties into housing. The administration is also clearing dangerous encampments while offering a path home.
Building more housing, faster
The Governor has sped up housing development by cutting red tape, streamlining approvals, and investing over $40 billion. The Governor has worked with the legislature to create more access to housing by opening excess state land for housing development, strengthening renter and eviction protections, and creating rent caps.
Combining housing and services
The Governor is leading a landmark effort to modernize mental health by better connecting housing with services and behavioral health support through:
- CARE Courts, aimed at helping the thousands of Californians who are suffering from untreated mental health and substance use disorders get the help they need, including housing.
- Implementation of Proposition 1, a voter-approved effort to expand housing interventions and increase the behavioral health workforce
News about housing and homelessness
HISTORIC TURNAROUND: California’s unsheltered homelessness drops for second consecutive year under Governor Newsom
Oct 28, 2026
News California’s estimated unsheltered population now slightly below 2019 levels Preliminary Point-in-Time data show back-to-back declines in unsheltered homelessness – down nearly 13% since 2024 What you need to know: California is reversing years of rising...
California is reducing homelessness, with voter approved Proposition 1 funding delivering more affordable homes
Oct 26, 2026
News More than 2,900 permanent supportive homes for vulnerable residents including veterans being built under Homekey+ What you need to know: California continues to build more homes and reduce homelessness statewide. Through voter-approved Proposition 1 funding,...
CARE Court implementation and progress are accelerating, reaching more than 10,000 Californians in crisis
Oct 1, 2026
News What you need to know: Governor Newsom announced the release of new data showing promising results as counties fully implement the CARE Act. The Governor also launched a new statewide behavioral health data dashboard that puts statewide, county-reported...