Q: How did the impact of the pandemic, and the response, differ in the states two regions with the worst homelessness crises the Bay Area, and Los Angeles? LA County reports 15 More COVID-related deaths; 882 new cases, How California used COVID-19 to create housing;, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), How California used COVID-19 to create housing; a top Newsom adviser weighs in, Pasadena to terminate local COVID-19 orders this month, LA County reports 14 COVID-related deaths, 1,300-plus cases on Friday, As COVID health emergency ends, LA County officials still urge caution, UCLA nurses want end to COVID-era overcrowding in hospital halls and rooms, LA County reports 15 More COVID-related deaths; 882 new cases. Ive been really encouraged by the warm embrace of local leaders on Homekey. Q: Describe what it was like in the governors office when the pandemic hit and you realized we could be dealing with a potentially devastating health crisis for our homeless population? This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $130,008. Instead, the governor plans to increase . Our message to LA and the Bay Area and to everyone is: Project Roomkey is here and funded at least through September of this year, with 100% of the cost borne by the federal government. LA County reports 15 More COVID-related deaths; 882 new cases So our responsibility now as a state is to continue to put fuel in the tank of this solution. China dismisses FBI statement that COVID-19 likely leaked from Wuhan lab Has it protected 35,000 homeless Californians? In their 14-page letter, the advocates blasted the proposal as involuntary and coercive treatment that would strip individuals of their personal liberties and perpetuate institutional racism and worsen health disparities. They said CARE Court flies in the face of any evidence-based approach to ending homelessness because it prioritizes mental health services not housing as the initial step toward recovery, which they said would deviate from Californias housing first principles. Despite the urgency, the number of people who would likely benefit from the initiative is limited. The State Building and Construction Trades Council has pushed to include a requirement in housing bills that would force the new units to be built with union labor. And he warned against efforts to rush the bill through the legislative process without proper public input and scrutiny. Housing | But the bill may face a major hurdle once its heard in the Assembly Judiciary Committee. Honestly sometimes when something is working, you dont tinker with it. "We knew that a proposal this consequential, a . This interview has been edited for length and clarity. UCLA nurses want end to COVID-era overcrowding in hospital halls and rooms Health | Ive been really encouraged by the warm embrace of local leaders on Homekey. California weighs $360,000 in reparations to eligible Black residents, Majority of Hispanic Americans own a homeas incomes rise, Racial homeownership gap larger now than a decade ago, funded at least through September of this year, California Republicans give a boost to Florida Gov. So when you do all that math, youre looking at about 25,000 homeless people losing their lives from coronavirus. Honestly sometimes when something is working, you dont tinker with it. The Newsom administration says the excess land plan will help offset shelter costs for cities and counties at least, those willing to seek the help. But nowhere near the levels that I mentioned to you a moment ago we were fearing would come to pass. Its not really realistic to assume were going to subsidize our way out of this, Elliott said. We have 108,000 unsheltered homeless people in California. Jason Elliott, Gov. During a panel discussion hosted by Capitol Weekly on Wednesday, Jason Elliott, Newsoms top advisor on housing and homelessness, provided a glimpse. Gavin Newsom. Thats goal number one.. And that was not its intention. The transcript below was edited for brevity and clarity: Marisa Lagos: You step into these huge shoes, and then about six months later Mayor Ed Lee suddenly dies in the middle of the night. Emily Swide, 25, of Sacramento, has been appointed Director of Schedulingfor the Governor. He said the governor would generally support any move to change the default to yes on more housing. Find out more about how we use your personal data in our privacy policy and cookie policy. Jason Elliott, Newsoms top housing and homelessness advisor, said Monday that the administration expected some opposition to the proposal. One example: a 2013 law designed to increase infill development in green zones, which Elliott said could potentially allow for millions of housing units to be built. For all we knew, this was going to happen in a matter of weeks. UCLA nurses want end to COVID-era overcrowding in hospital halls and rooms The policy differences? Between working on the states pandemic response seven days a week and raising a baby, theres very little time to do anything else. hbbd```b``Z""H>UD>&jH`AH2::30m\ So, in the course of just a few months you had three different mayors that you served as chief of staff. Its not really realistic to assume were going to subsidize our way out of this. Can Newsom build on pandemic lessons to end homelessness? He also emphasized that just as important as passing new legislation is implementing laws already on the books. (Liz Hafalia / San Francisco Chronicle) By Liam Dillon Staff Writer Dec. 21, 2020 1:23 PM PT During his 2018 campaign for. He spearheaded two programs that together wound up being one of the states biggest feats during the unprecedented pandemic. Its not enough to put a noticeable dent in the massive crisis of human suffering on our streets. LA County reports 14 COVID-related deaths, 1,300-plus cases on Friday Newsom proposes plan to help homeless Californians with severe psychiatric, substance abuse and addiction issues get into housing and treatment. Project Roomkey has sheltered more than 35,000 homeless Californians in hotels and motels throughout the state, giving people over 65 or with medical conditions a safer place to ride out the pandemic. In response, Jason Elliott, Newsom's top advisor on homelessness, said "every effort would be made to get them indoors." . Housing | CalMattersis a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how Californias state Capitol works and why it matters. More than three dozen organizations and individuals, including the American Civil Liberties Union, Disability Rights California and the Western Center on Law and Poverty, signed an April 12 opposition letter raising serious concerns with Assembly Bill 2830, one of two nearly identical measures moving through the Legislature to implement Newsoms Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment Court. Want to submit a guest commentary or reaction to an article we wrote? Newsom Alisa Hartz Brittiany Bearden Deputy Legal Affairs Kelli Evans Secretary Morgan Carvajal Luis Larios Special Assistant to Jay Jefferson Deputy Secretary & Secretly, he still does. Gavin Newsom, Born: New York City, but grew up in Palo Alto, Family: Lives with his wife and their 15-month-old daughter, Prior job: Chief of staff to San Francisco Mayors Ed Lee and London Breed, and policy director for Newsom when he was mayor. g 8 endstream endobj startxref 0 %%EOF 55 0 obj <>stream Newsoms approval hobbled by crime fears, homelessness crisis, poll finds, De Len proposes a new city department of mental and public health, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, sheriff says, Look up: The 32 most spectacular ceilings in Los Angeles, Winter storms ease drought conditions in California, report shows, 19 cafes that make L.A. a world-class coffee destination, Newsom, IRS give Californians until October to file tax returns, This fabled orchid breeder loves to chat just not about Trader Joes orchids, Best coffee city in the world? A: I will point you to the governors budget proposal: $1.75 billion. The groups often have significant sway among liberal legislative Democrats, the kind of influence that could hinder Newsoms hopes for a new law to be in place by July 1. We have exploded in bringing more interim housing beds online. So what of the slew of housing bills at the state Capitol? So I hopped in my car, drove over to Mather where OES is, and went into a conference room where the governor, Ann and a few others were, and sort of started at that point to realize how fundamentally this was going to change everything. You can find our submission guidelines here. Jason Elliott, Newsom's deputy chief of staff, runs point on homelessness for the governor. Pasadena to terminate local COVID-19 orders this month Hironakahas most recently served as Deputy Secretary for Legislative Affairs at the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA). the free daily newsletter about California politics from the editors of Capitol Weekly. 2. Yes, it has. Those who would qualify are characterized by experts as the hardest to reach and most difficult to treat, largely because they have a variety of complex needs and are often hesitant to trust government intervention. He hasnt had a day off in months. Hannah Wiley is a politics reporter for the Los Angeles Times Sacramento bureau covering the California Capitol and state agencies. A governors signature does not build new units, he said. Dee Dee Myers, another . Elliott has worked in government his whole career, and he met his wife in Gavin Newsoms administration, when Newsom was mayor of San Francisco. Sign up for our daily newsletter. Q: Has Project Roomkey achieved everything you hoped it would? Gavin Newsom's adviser on housing and homelessness, said that while the state can build housing for homeless people and the very poor, the private sector is essential to. Has it helped us flatten the curve more broadly in California and protect our hospitals from overcrowding? From 2006 to 2010, she served four administrations in the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. So wed really like to see communities not only continue the portfolio that they have under Project Roomkey, but potentially expand it, and expand it significantly. If you do not want us and our partners to use cookies and personal data for these additional purposes, click 'Reject all'. And in this case, Homekey works. And it aimed to protect some of the most vulnerable Californians from a disease that we didnt know anything about. potential LA County reports 14 COVID-related deaths, 1,300-plus cases on Friday AB 2830 was originally scheduled to be heard this week by the Assembly Judiciary Committee, but the hearing is now set for next week, similar to plans for its companion measure, Senate Bill 1338. 2. The second program,Homekey, created 6,000 units of long-term homeless housing in less than six months, by giving cities and counties the money to purchase hotels and other buildings, and expediting the permitting process. Q: As a result of Homekey, the state has added more than 6,000 new long-term housing units in less than six months. Has the federal government embraced it and now is providing 100% reimbursement on the costs? Related Articles Were heading down the same path here, Elliott said. Jason Elliott, Newsom's adviser on homeless issues, said the partnership between the city of San Diego, Caltrans and City Net is one that could be a model throughout the state. 1. Q: How can we continue this momentum post-pandemic? What was the most difficult thing about navigating that? That's how many homes the Legislature has mandated California cities to plan for by 2030, and Newsom's team is making sure they do. The answer is yes. So theres something about continuity that underpinned how we moved forward through those next few days. Gavin Newsom's adviser on housing and homelessness, said that while the state can build housing for homeless people and the very poor, the private sector is essential to easing the statewide housing shortage. Now, a little over a month into Mayor London Breeds term, Elliott is leaving City Hall to work for Lt. Gov. Newsom included $3 billion in the budget last year to increase behavioral health housing by 22,000 treatment beds, and proposed another $1.5 billion this year to bump that number up to 33,000. Not every participant would need to be homeless to qualify, but the Newsom administration expects CARE Court could help thousands of people who have spent years living without a home, as well as those cycling in and out of jails and hospitals. One idea: expanding motel conversions, an emergency plan during the pandemic. Elliott spoke with this news organization about those programs, how they started, and where we go from here. And that was not its intention. Stay in touch. Housing | Yes, it has. Elliott, a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School and Columbia University, has been with Newsom for years, working for him when Newsom was mayor of San Francisco and lieutenant governor. Is it the only thing we have to do to solve homelessness? Gavin Newsom. Gavin Newsom joins a cleanup effort last May in Los Angeles. The big takeaway: California is millions of housing units short, and cities hold the key. He comes from a family committed to public service. If you would like to customise your choices, click 'Manage privacy settings'. Over the coming months, he would advise two different mayors as the city went through a truncated and highly contentious special election to replace Lee. Workforce development for those skilled trades is going to be so essential.. Have it become a fundamental part of addressing homelessness in California. No, of course not. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Elliott sidestepped another question, about whether the administration would seek to extend the statewide eviction moratorium, which is set to end June 30,as the state doubles its rent relief funds withan additional $2.6 billion from the federal government. And he was a friend and a mentor, so it must have been an incredibly difficult thing emotionally. The state has struggled to get tenants and landlords to enroll in existing benefits. Lagos: London Breed became acting mayor, but she was only in that position for a couple of months before the Board of Supervisors controversially replaced her with interim Mayor Mark Farrell, and then of course London Breed got elected. Has the federal government embraced it and now is providing 100% reimbursement on the costs? But we can never let ourselves be stopped by feeling like were not making an impact. We worked 25 hours a day to design what eventually become Project Roomkey. Senior Counselor On Housing at Newsom. He comes from a family committed to public service. Those concerns are likely to be raised as Newsom continues to conduct roundtable discussions with stakeholders throughout the state. The program would allow family members, behavioral health providers and first responders to ask civil court judges to order a clinical evaluation and, if necessary, implement a plan for a person in need. As COVID health emergency ends, LA County officials still urge caution She graduated from American University with a BA degree in literature with a minor in journalism. Were putting out more homeless housing through this program than we probably do in several years under normal circumstances. Yes, it has. They cant take whats happening in encampments and tents.. She started her journalism career reporting on crime and breaking news for The News-Press in Southwest Florida. hV[k0+eeJ!l>;h\aaK:}>>Z -A Our message to LA and the Bay Area and to everyone is: Project Roomkey is here and funded at least through September of this year, with 100% of the cost borne by the federal government. After announcing the broad framework of his CARE Court plan, the real work begins for Gov. Its not really realistic to assume were going to subsidize our way out of this, Elliott said. Yes, it has. The governor wants to work the proposal through the budget this spring so the CARE Court program is ready to go into effect when the new fiscal year starts on July 1, as opposed to implementation after the lengthier policy process. So our responsibility now as a state is to continue to put fuel in the tank of this solution. Some other highlights from the discussion: On home prices, Svec refrained from calling Californias housing market a bubble. She expects the housing market will remain much more stable this time around than after the 2008 foreclosure crisis, and doesnt expect prices to drop anytime soon. Elliott, a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School and Columbia University, has been with Newsom for years, working for him when Newsom was mayor of San Francisco and lieutenant governor. They cant take whats happening on the streets and sidewalks. To fundamentally alter the reality that we see on the streets requires us fundamentally altering our approach. Learn more about how we use cookies in our cookie policy. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) California Gov. Gavin Newsom's adviser on housing and homelessness, said that while the state can build housing for homeless people and the very poor, the private sector is essential to. The governors new plan to create a court-ordered treatment effort is being sharply criticized by anti-poverty groups and civil libertarians. Q: As a result of Homekey, the state has added more than 6,000 new long-term housing units in less than six months. Some policy bills face a key deadline next week, but Elliott declined to comment on specific bills, includingSenate Bill 9,which would allow homeowners to put a duplex on single-family lots or split them. The CARE Court proposal promises behavioral health treatment, medication and a housing plan as tools to stabilize participants who struggle with addiction and untreated psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, for up to two years. Housing | Has it become a model for the rest of the country? Jason Elliott, Newsom's top housing advisor, said it is up to the legislative leaders to determine the mechanism for implementation, but requested urgency to codify the law by July 1. Before that, she was a Legislative Assistant at The Crane Group and a Research Assistant for the British ParliamentaryLabourParty. But its a start, and more than California has done in a long time. 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Elliott hopes the Legislature will make $250 million of the $750 million available before Newsom's budget, which will be debated by the Legislature before it is implemented, goes into effect in . We, Yahoo, are part of the Yahoo family of brands. Californias governor is fast-tracking a plan to compel people into court-ordered treatment, but a lot of details are still in question. Are sale-leasebacks still a viable option? But you dont practice for that. Lagos: So you spent the last couple months helping London Breeds administration get settled. Because for every person you bring inside, thats a person who has a sister whos worried about her. 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This interview has been edited for length and clarity. But nowhere near the levels that I mentioned to you a moment ago we were fearing would come to pass. In the Bay Area, the median home price soared to an all-time high of $1.3 million and the statewide median home price broke $800,000 last month. Workforce development for those skilled trades is going to be so essential.. Gov. The mayor of San Francisco cannot possibly be involved in every decision that gets made across our 60 departments, from the airport to the zoo. Q: Has Project Roomkey achieved everything you hoped it would? authenticate users, apply security measures, and prevent spam and abuse, and, display personalised ads and content based on interest profiles, measure the effectiveness of personalised ads and content, and, develop and improve our products and services. Gavin Newsom, Elliott serves as the governors top housing and homelessness adviser. Jason Elliott, Newsom's top housing advisor, said the governor's budget interlaces housing, cost-of-living and climate policies to simultaneously address California's top issues. Newsom dissed local applicants for seeming too complacent about a dire California problem, while the applicants retorted that the Newsom administration sent conflicting signals and that in any case, state lawmakers had inadvertently given them a financial motive to lowball their goals.