California’s GOP leaders are raising concerns over the state’s handling of its homelessness crisis, particularly after a recent audit revealed that approximately $24 billion spent over five years failed to show significant improvements. The state auditor’s report criticized the California Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal ICH) for not adequately tracking the effectiveness of the vast sums allocated to housing and homelessness programs from 2018 to 2023. Despite the expenditure, the homelessness crisis remains a visible and pressing issue in many California cities.
The audit specifically pointed out that Cal ICH ceased monitoring program outcomes in 2021 and lacked a standardized method for evaluating the success of these initiatives. This oversight has drawn sharp criticism from Republican lawmakers, who argue that Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration has not delivered on its promises to address the crisis effectively.
Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher accused the Newsom administration of failing to produce tangible results, emphasizing Californians’ growing frustration with the ongoing homeless crisis and the perceived inefficiency of the state’s efforts. Similarly, Republican state Senator Roger Niello expressed disappointment that the audit focused predominantly on housing and shelter issues without fully addressing the broader challenge of permanently lifting individuals out of homelessness.
On the other hand, Democratic state Senator Dave Cortese, who requested the audit, highlighted the need for better data collection and transparency at both state and local levels. He lamented the lack of a unified system for tracking investments in homelessness programs, calling for the establishment of best practices and a strategic blueprint for tackling the issue more effectively.
The audit’s findings have also sparked debate among political figures and candidates, with former MLB All-Star Steve Garvey, a Republican Senate candidate, calling for federal scrutiny of California’s management of its homelessness crisis. He advocated for real political courage to enact necessary changes and deliver tangible results for both the unhoused population and taxpayers.
In response to the audit, Cal ICH acknowledged improvements in data collection following the implementation of AB 977 on January 1, 2023. The legislation mandates that grantees of state-funded homelessness programs input specific data into their local Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). Nevertheless, Cal ICH shifted some responsibility to local governments, emphasizing their primary role in implementing programs and gathering outcome data to evaluate program effectiveness.
The audit has intensified the debate over California’s approach to its homelessness crisis, underscoring the need for greater accountability, effective data management, and a coordinated effort to address one of the state’s most pressing social challenges.