Bo Tefu and Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media
On May 14, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that his office will speed up the delivery of $3.3 billion in funds allocated to counties and other partners across the state as they work to transform the state’s mental health care system and address the homelessness crisis.
The state aims to build more behavioral health treatment centers and housing units in partnership with cities, counties, tribes, and property developers under Proposition 1.
The state law, which voters approved through a ballot measure in March amends California’s Mental Health Services Act by authorizing of up to $6.8 billion in bonds to build mental health treatment facilities to support people struggling with substance use disorder and mental illness.
Under Prop 1, developers can build up to 4,350 housing units and counties are required to spend two-thirds of revenue collected from taxes on millionaires to develop housing and behavioral health programs.
Visiting a behavioral health treatment center undergoing renovations in San Mateo County on May 14, Newsom announced his plans to fast-track the funding.
“People are demanding more accountability, with real results,” Newsom said.“The state will provide counties and cities with resources and tools to foster safer and healthier communities across the state,” Newsom added.
“It’s time to do your job. It’s time to get things done,” Newsom said. “You asked for these reforms, we’ve provided them. Now it’s time to deliver.”
However, some community and local government leaders opposed to Prop 1 argue that the new funding structure to tax millionaires jeopardizes housing programs that exclude drug or mental illness treatment. Advocates for disability rights also argue that more people will be held in these state facilities against their will.
The Newsom Administration insists that the state will monitor programs based on gaps in local services. Counties, cities, and developers with project proposals can apply for funding when applications open in July this year.