California mayors seek $1.5B to aid mentally ill homeless.
Mayors and Supervisors Request Additional Funding for Mental Health Access
Eight mayors and three county supervisors have come together to address the urgent need for improved mental health access for low-income and homeless individuals in California. In a letter sent to Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders on August 21, the group requested an additional $1.5 billion in funding to support a bill aimed at tackling this issue.
“We have reached a crisis point,” the authors wrote in the letter. “Seriously mentally ill and addicted Californians are languishing in our communities in dangerous encampments.”
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria led this coalition of city officials, which included Mayor London Breed of San Francisco, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and other mayors and supervisors representing Long Beach, Oakland, Riverside, Sacramento, and San Jose.
Assembly Bill 531: Addressing the Crisis
The focus of their request is Assembly Bill 531, also known as the Behavioral Health Infrastructure Bond Act, authored by Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin. This bill proposes a $5 billion bond measure to be decided by voters in the 2024 primary election. However, the mayors and supervisors are urging for the bond amount to be revised to $6.5 billion to meet the increasing demand for addiction recovery and mental health services.
The additional funding would enable the creation of thousands of treatment beds and supportive housing units, where mental health counselors can provide much-needed assistance to residents.
Addressing Homelessness and Mental Health
The connection between homelessness and mental health challenges is significant, with over 40,000 homeless Californians suffering from severe mental illness and more than 30,000 struggling with addiction, according to the legislative analysis of the bill.
Veterans are particularly affected, with over 10,000 experiencing homelessness in 2022. At least 50 percent of homeless veterans suffer from mental illness, and 70 percent are impacted by substance abuse.
Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin emphasized the importance of AB 531 in expanding access to high-quality residential care for those with the greatest needs, including veterans. The bill aims to address the behavioral health needs of veterans who are currently homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Complementary Legislation
Senate Bill 326, authored by Sen. Susan Eggman, is another crucial piece of legislation related to mental health services. This bill seeks to modernize California’s Mental Health Services Act, which was approved by voters in 2004. SB 326 has already passed the Assembly Health Committee and will next be heard by the Assembly’s Housing and Community Development Committee.
Urgent Action Needed
Governor Newsom has stressed the need for immediate action to address the homelessness and mental health crises in the state. In a press release on August 23, he expressed his support for SB 326 and the ongoing efforts to confront these pressing issues.
“Californians know the urgency needed to address the crises our state and our country are facing, from opioids to mental health to homelessness. The status quo is simply unacceptable,” said Governor Newsom.
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