California is faced with a difficult question: Should the state provide funding for homeless shelters that require sobriety? Two assembly Democrats have introduced bills that would allow for this, even though it goes against current state law. California’s current approach to homelessness, known as a “housing first” plan, provides housing to homeless individuals with no requirements attached. However, this approach has not been successful in addressing the state’s growing homelessness crisis.
Some Democratic legislators in California are starting to realize that a different approach is needed to tackle the homelessness crisis. While it may not be a perfect solution, introducing sobriety-focused housing could help address issues such as rampant fentanyl overdose deaths. It is a small step in the right direction for a state that has struggled with ineffective policies and wasted funds on unsuccessful projects.
While it’s hard to imagine California’s homelessness policy getting any worse, the fact that there is a debate happening about potential changes is a positive sign. Hopefully, California can make a good decision and begin to effectively address its homelessness crisis.
