Although I stand by my assertion in my previous post that “Death by coronavirus is not the solution to the homeless crisis anyone wants,” the City of San Francisco’s actions are certainly making it seem otherwise. The homeless, and especially the chronically homeless who comprise most of the people on the streets, are largely...
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“In March 2018 I wrote an article in this newsletter outlining why I thought Sacramento County was in need of a work program for people who are homeless,” writes Sacramento County Supervisor Sue Frost in her April newsletter. Frost set out to identify 40 homeless people who were both willing to work and stay...
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As we noted, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s March 12 Executive Order N-25-20 “readies state to commandeer hotels and medical facilities to isolate and treat COVID-19 patients” and “readies the state to commandeer property for temporary residences and medical facilities for quarantining, isolating or treating individuals.” As Milton Friedman observed, temporary government measures often become permanent,...
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“Homelessness is a national crisis, one that’s spreading across the West Coast and cities across the country,” proclaims California Gov. Gavin Newsom. “The state of California is treating it as a real emergency.” Newsom wants to spend $750 million to help homeless people get off the streets. To that end, the governor has signed...
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Improving housing affordability will significantly reduce homelessness, but it will not in itself solve the problem.

California’s housing shortage is a political choice, just as are many of its other problems.

More bureaucracy won’t get people off of the streets.