California Governor Gavin Newsom has unveiled a new initiative to address homelessness in the state by allocating $300 million to clear homeless encampments near state roads.
The effort is in collaboration with Caltrans, the California Department of Transportation, to address safety concerns posed by encampments under overpasses and bridges.
The $300 million funding will be distributed as grants to cities and counties throughout California, with qualifying areas defined as any piece of land being used for transportation purposes. This will include highways, park and rides, and bike paths.
During the announcement, Governor Newsom acknowledged public frustration, stating, “The public has had it. They’re fed up. I’m fed up. We’re all fed up.”
Caltrans spokesperson Alisa Becerra emphasized the safety risks associated with homeless camps along state roads, stating, “It’s a safety risk for them, for the infrastructure, for our staff, for first responders, and potentially for the traveling public, and that’s why we remove encampments.”
Becerra went on to…
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