SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY – Governor Gavin Newsom announced, October 4, that the state awarded San Bernardino County $11 million to clear homeless encampments and provide shelter, care, and support.
California awarded a total of $130.7 million to 18 local governments. The County of Riverside also received $12.6 million. Victorville received $6.3 million.
“We’re supporting local communities’ efforts to get people out of encampments and connected with care and housing across the state,” said Newsom in a statement.
He goes on to say that the state has committed more than $27 billion to help local governments tackle the homelessness crisis — and they want to see $27 billion worth of results.
20,888 people transition out of homelessness
According to Newsom’s office, the Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF) has helped 20,888 people transition out of homelessness.
The $130.7 million in funding is projected to help an additional 3,364 people currently living in encampments and permanently house 1,565 people.
Grant recipients will use the grant funds for a variety of housing solutions that include permanent housing, interim housing for individuals seeking coordinated entry system resources or housing vouchers and other solutions.
State can revoke and clawback funds
As a condition of receiving the funding, the awardees must agree to increased accountability and compliance measures.
Non-compliance with these measures may result in the state revoking and clawing back awarded funds in addition to potential enforcement actions by the state’s Housing Accountability Unit.
According to Newsom’s office, the Housing Accountability Unit has “unlocked” more than 7,500 housing units for California families, since 2022. This means the unit has ensured these new homes are approved for development by working with local jurisdictions or by taking actions to enforce California law.
Supreme Court ruling
On June 28, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on the City of Grants Pass v. Johnson case that the City of Grants Pass did not violate the Eighth Amendment when they criminalized sleeping in public spaces.
Newsom said the ruling by the court provides state and local officials the definitive authority to implement and enforce policies to clear unsafe encampments from the streets.
