In an exclusive interview with host Sean Hannity, California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, addresses the ongoing homelessness crisis and the businesses leaving his state. Newsom, who took office following the 2003 San Francisco mayoral election, vowed to make ending homelessness his top priority. However, almost two decades later, the problem remains unsolved, and the growing homeless population has become a central issue in California’s political debate.
California, famously known as the “Golden State,” is now experiencing a deep blue “Sapphire State” as the homelessness crisis continues to worsen. Despite Newsom’s initial promise to aggressively tackle the issue, his 10-year plan to end chronic homelessness in San Francisco has fallen short. The plan involved funding of “tens of millions” of federal dollars to create 550 “supportive housing” units for the troubled homeless. However, the announcement of this strategy is now two decades old, and the problem remains far from being solved.
According to the nonpartisan think tank Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), as of 2022, 30% of homeless Americans lived in California, including half of all unsheltered people in the United States. Since 2020, California’s overall homeless population has increased by about 6%, while the rest of the country saw a mere 0.4% increase. The visible unsheltered population in California increased by 2%, compared to 4% in the rest of the country.
Critics, including California GOP chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson, argue that Newsom’s failures extend beyond San Francisco and have spread statewide. Communities across California are grappling with the devastating homeless crisis, and instead of focusing on addressing the issue, Newsom has been more interested in bashing red states and eyeing a promotion to the White House.
During his successful gubernatorial campaign in 2017, Newsom pledged to develop 3.5 million new housing units by 2025 to combat the homelessness crisis. However, a 2022 Department of Housing and Urban Development report found that 67% of California’s homeless population remains unsheltered. Furthermore, California has spent $20 billion over the last five years in its fight against homelessness.
Newsom’s office did not respond to requests for comment on the ongoing crisis. However, during the interview with Sean Hannity, Newsom expressed his pride in his 10-year plan for San Francisco while acknowledging the disgraceful nature of the crisis.
As Newsom enters his fifth year in office, his administration’s handling of the homelessness crisis continues to face scrutiny. San Francisco’s recent clearing of homeless encampments ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the city drew criticism, with accusations that the cleanup was motivated by the presence of international dignitaries.
The issue of homelessness remains a significant challenge for California and its political leaders. Newsom’s ability to find real solutions and work across party lines with Republicans will be closely watched as the homeless crisis persists.
