Story perspectives

California Homelessness Declines 9%, Critics Highlight Ongoing Issues

4/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

Gavin Newsom, California Governor, touts progress on homelessness, citing a 9% drop in unsheltered residents and $145 million in funding.
Critics cite the ongoing trash crisis in Sacramento's Steelhead Creek encampments, where significant debris remains.
Environmentalists and political strategists argue state policies fail to hold agencies accountable for the mess.
Tom Wolf, expert, advocates a recovery-based housing approach with sobriety and treatment to keep people off streets, criticizing Housing First.

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Story summary

Gavin Newsom, California Governor, touts progress on homelessness, citing a 9% drop in unsheltered residents and $145 million in funding.
Critics cite the ongoing trash crisis in Sacramento's Steelhead Creek encampments, where significant debris remains.
Environmentalists and political strategists argue state policies fail to hold agencies accountable for the mess.
Tom Wolf, expert, advocates a recovery-based housing approach with sobriety and treatment to keep people off streets, criticizing Housing First.