SACRAMENTO, Calif. — As California cities struggle to address a homelessness and mental health crisis on their streets, Gov. Gavin Newsom's administration on Thursday unveiled a proposal to compel more people with severe psychiatric disorders and addiction issues into court-ordered care that includes medication and housing.
The proposal, which Newsom is calling the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment Court, is the state's latest effort to address one of California's greatest struggles, and a recognition that something more robust is needed to solve the problem.
Newsom allocated $12 billion for homelessness in the state budget last year and proposed another $2 billion in his January financial blueprint. But implementing a court-ordered response to mental illness and substance abuse disorders would accelerate the state's multipronged strategy to help thousands of people get much-needed services.
