California’s homelessness problem has been well-documented. In order to tackle this, Governor Gavin Newsome has proposed to change the Mental Health Services Act under a new act called Proposition 1. This proposal would affect mental health support, financial policy, and housing in order to create services for homeless people suffering from severe mental health issues.
The Key Principles
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Proposition 1 will redirect funds to create almost 12,000 new beds and housing units. Newsom claims this will help to solve both the homelessness crisis and the need for mental health services. It will change the Mental Health Services Act and Assembly Bill 531 by dedicating $1 billion annually towards housing and treatment for homeless individuals.
The Impact on Treatment and Housing Capacity
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Officials estimate that nearly $4.4 billion from Proposition 1 would create treatment beds and residential facilities. This would help to address the shortage of nearly 8,000 adult psychiatric beds in the state. Additionally, $2 billion would be used for permanent supportive housing, with large allocations for veterans.
Official Statement
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In an official statement, Newsom said, “These reforms, and this new investment in behavioral health housing, will help California make good on promises made decades ago. We see the signs of our broken system every day – too many Californians suffering from mental health needs or substance use disorders and unable to get support or care they need. This will prioritize getting people off the streets, out of tents and into treatment.”
County Impact
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As a result of redirecting funds, counties would see a significant amount of their funds being used specifically for housing and related treatments. This would restrict the counties in how they can currently use the $2-3 billion they receive. Supporters argue that this move would help to improve local mental health services.
Understanding California’s Homelessness Crisis
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Currently, the state has approximately 181,000 homeless people, which represents almost a third of all homeless people in America. In just Los Angeles County, there are approximately 75,000 homeless people. This number has been growing over the years, and several state governments have tried to fix this issue.
Mental Health and Homelessness
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Research shows that a large number of California’s homeless population battles with mental health issues. 82% are suffering from mental health disorders, while 62% are suffering from addiction-related disorders. Clearly, homelessness and mental issues go hand-in-hand, and this is a problem that needs to be desperately sorted.
Opposition and Concerns
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However, mental health groups and organizations have opposed Proposition 1. They argue that the proposal could lead to involuntary treatment and could take away from existing mental health services. Organizations like the Mental Health Association of San Francisco and San Francisco Senior & Disability Action are concerned about the potential for coercive treatment and the loss of personal freedom.
Critics Speak Out
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One critic, Clare Cortright, said in a statement that Proposition 1 “decimates the MHSA with a plethora of new state mandates and top-down control.” She said that it includes “devastating cuts to voluntary mental health services for the most severely mentally ill and an unprecedented giveaway of taxpayer money to build privatized facilities.”
Continued Criticism
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Cortright continued, “Prop. 1 is bad policy. The public mental health system needs the MHSA services funding to keep people with serious mental illness well-stabilized and housed. The only reason the MHSA is on the ballot is because of protections that do not allow it to be fundamentally altered without voter approval. “
Financial and Ethical Debates
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Similarly, economists, including those from the Hoover Institution, have warned about the financial consequences of such a move. They argue it will increase state debt and have said that the government needs to look at alternative solutions. They also argue that it will cost taxpayers approximately $9 billion with no clear result.
Support for Proposition 1
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However, some groups are supportive of it, including the California Teachers Association and the California Medical Association. In a statement, one supporter, Alison Monroe, said, “A vote against Prop. 1 is a vote to preserve a failed system. This measure will give the state more control over spending and provide new money for actual countable facilities that will give the system a footprint.”
Monroe’s Thoughts
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Continuing, Monroe said, “Rest assured, this is not blind optimism. When money is thrown at the powerless, it doesn’t necessarily stick, and it can create an increasingly entitled and entrenched bureaucracy wherever it goes. But California has a chance to steer change under Prop. 1 and move in the direction that saves lives.”
Creating a Workgroup
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One of the key measures under Proposition 1 is the introduction of the Behavioral Health Services Act Revenue Stability Workgroup. This group would asses year-over-year fluctuations in revenue. This would enable them to ensure funding stability for the proposal, no matter how the economy is doing.
Comprehensive Financial Framework
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The proposal includes a significant financial investment with over $6.380 billion in bonds. These funds would be used for mental health and homelessness interventions. $1.05 billion would be used for housing for homeless veterans and $922 million for individuals at risk of homelessness with behavioral health needs.
CARE Court and Conservatorship Changes
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Another part of the proposal includes reforming the CARE Court and changes to conservatorship rules. CARE Court allows individuals to be petitioned into mental health programs. The changes to conservatorship rules would allow people to be put in involuntary care if they are unable to meet their basic needs.
Fiscal Allocations and Priorities
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Proposition 1 includes a new funding structure. It would use 30% of funds for housing interventions and 35% each for Full Service Partnerships programs and behavioral health services. Supporters claim this would help prioritize housing and give comprehensive support to people suffering from behavioral health conditions.
Concerns from Los Angeles County
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Currently, Los Angeles County allocates approximately 32% of its Mental Health Services Act funding to outpatient services. County officials have predicted that this would reduce to less than 18% for such services if Proposition 1 passes. As such, some people are concerned that Proposition 1 could affect people’s ability to maintain housing.
Voters’ Opinions
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A majority of Californians continue to approve of Governor Newsom’s handling of key issues, including homelessness. Recent polls indicate that the economy, housing, and homelessness are top concerns for them. Despite the criticism, surveys suggest around two out of three voters are likely to support Proposition 1.
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