A promised influx of tiny homes to address California's homelessness crisis has fallen short, with only a fraction of the promised units purchased. Despite state and local officials blaming each other, homeless residents remain without the promised shelter.
California Governor Gavin Newsom's ambitious plan to alleviate the state's homelessness crisis by providing tiny homes has hit a roadblock, with only a fraction of the promised units purchased to date. While the state government has provided billions of dollars in funding and streamlined regulations, local governments and vendors have been unable to implement the plan effectively.
As per Newsom's March 2023 announcement, 1,200 tiny homes were to be distributed across Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Jose, and San Diego County. However, a recent report by CalMatters revealed that only 150 units have been purchased so far. The state initially planned to procure and supply the homes to each location, but the plan later shifted to providing cash grants and leaving the ordering process to the cities.
Despite the state's repeated claims of delays caused by local governments, CalMatters found that tiny homes have failed to materialize even when local officials swiftly approved project sites. The outlet also reported that emails between the governor's office and state officials regarding the matter were exempt from the California Public Records Act, preventing public scrutiny.
Six vendors were tasked with supplying the tiny homes, but most have yet to receive a single order. Kam Valgardson, general manager of vendor Irontown Modular, expressed shock at the lack of orders, emphasizing the dire need for support among homeless residents.
Monica Hassan, deputy director of the Department of General Services, stated that Sacramento has begun constructing its tiny home site and provided funding to the other three locations. However, she dismissed critics' concerns about timelines, arguing that focusing on deadlines overlooks the efforts of those dedicated to providing housing.
Governor Newsom's chief of staff, Jason Elliot, attributed the plan's failure to local governments' lack of commitment and partnership. Despite billions in state investments and expedited approval processes, local entities have reportedly purchased few of the tiny homes.
Amidst growing public criticism, Newsom's handling of California's homelessness crisis has come under scrutiny. A recent study found that the state accounts for approximately one-third of the nation's homeless population, and the number continues to rise.
Despite the ongoing crisis, Newsom has touted California as a "national model" for combating homelessness, a claim met with ridicule by critics. The governor's office has not yet responded to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
