Visalia is receiving millions of dollars from the state to clear out its homeless encampments.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday that Visalia is one of 18 cities, counties and continuums of care to receive part of $130.7 million in total money to address encampments.
The big picture: Visalia’s part of the $130.7 million in Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF) is $3 million.
- Visalia is the only city in the Central Valley to receive funding in this round of awards.
- Sacramento is receiving the most money at $18.2 million, followed by Riverside County at $12.6 million, Los Angeles at $11.4 million and San Bernardino County at $11 million.
Driving the news: Earlier this year the Supreme Court ruled in Grants Pass v. Johnson that local governments are allowed to enforce camping bans.
- That ruling allows cities and counties to enforce anti-camping bans even if there are not enough homeless shelter beds available.
- Newsom followed that up in July with an executive order calling on all state agencies and departments to urgently address homeless encampments.
- Along with the executive order, Newsom also urged cities and counties to do the same.
Zoom out: The ERF program supports the implementation of Newsom’s executive order, and it is a competitive grant that requires awardees to demonstrate a clear connection to permanent housing solutions.
- So far, ERF has dished out over $737 million for 109 projects or encampments across 21 counties, 41 cities and five continuum of cares.
- Newsom’s office said ERF funding has helped 20,888 people transition out of homelessness.
What they’re saying: “We’re supporting local communities’ efforts to get people out of encampments and connected with care and housing across the state,” Newsom said. “It’s important and urgent work that requires everyone to do their part. The state has committed more than $27 billion to help local governments tackle the homelessness crisis – and we want to see $27 billion worth of results.”
