On August 12, 2023, California’s ongoing housing crisis reached new heights as state lawmakers, local leaders, and homelessness advocates gathered in Sacramento to discuss the state’s escalating housing and homelessness issues. Despite a series of housing reforms and initiatives launched over the last few years, the shortage of affordable housing, coupled with skyrocketing rental prices, continues to impact millions of Californians. The state now reports over 170,000 people experiencing homelessness, with many of them living on the streets of cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego.
Governor Gavin Newsom, in his remarks during the summit, acknowledged the urgency of the situation and emphasized that state-led efforts alone would not suffice. “California is facing a crisis of unprecedented proportions. We need a collaborative effort from local governments, businesses, and communities to combat homelessness and provide affordable housing,” said Newsom. He went on to stress that housing is a basic human right, and the failure to address this issue was not only a moral failure but an economic one.
Local government officials, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, have echoed Newsom’s sentiment, calling for more state funding for homeless outreach programs and affordable housing construction. Bass has been a vocal advocate for increasing funding for supportive housing, citing the need for long-term solutions that combine shelter with job training, mental health services, and addiction recovery programs.
Despite these calls for action, housing experts, such as Dr. Lena Roberts, a researcher at the California Housing Partnership, have pointed out that the scale of the problem requires a multi-faceted approach. “It’s not enough to just build more housing. We need policies that focus on affordability, accessibility, and sustainability,” Dr. Roberts explained during a panel discussion at the event. According to Dr. Roberts, California needs over 3.5 million new housing units to meet demand, and the current pace of construction is not nearly fast enough to close this gap.
One of the primary factors driving the crisis is California’s lack of affordable rental units. As high-income earners continue to flock to the state, demand for housing in major metropolitan areas has pushed rent prices beyond the reach of middle- and low-income families. California’s stringent zoning laws and local resistance to new development, particularly in affluent neighborhoods, have further compounded the situation.
Housing advocates such as the California Housing Partnership and the Homeless Outreach Program have proposed comprehensive solutions, including the relaxation of zoning laws to allow for denser housing, the provision of rent subsidies, and increased funding for mental health and substance use programs.
As California faces another year of rising homelessness, the calls for action grow louder. The question remains: will the state’s leadership be able to act decisively before the housing crisis becomes even more entrenched? The ongoing debates highlight the critical need for bold action, systemic reforms, and investment in housing solutions that prioritize equity and long-term stability.
