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
Governor Newsom announces major transformation of six vacant buildings in Los Angeles County into mental health and housing communities
Mar 6, 2026
News What you need to know: A Proposition 1 investment of $65 million for mental health services in Los Angeles County will help convert vacant state-owned property into 162 housing and mental health treatment beds. SACRAMENTO – As part of his comprehensive approach...
Governor Newsom announces new CARE Court accountability measures to get more chronically mentally ill off our streets, awards $291 million in funding for services and housing
Mar 2, 2026
News What you need to know: Building on the first drop in unsheltered homelessness in nearly two decades,, Governor Newsom today is launching new accountability tools to speed up the ’ implementation of the CARE Act – which gets mentally ill Californians off our...
Governor Newsom announces major expansion of mortgage relief program, with a four-fold increase in payments to survivors
Feb 12, 2026
News What you need to know: Disaster-affected homeowners now qualify for one year of mortgage relief through Governor Newsom’s expansion of the state’s CalAssist mortgage relief program — increasing the relief period from three to twelve months of mortgage payments,...