SACRAMENTO, CA — Yesterday, Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed Assembly Bill (AB) 2746, by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Woodland Hills), which would have significantly strengthened oversight over state-funded homelessness programs, including by creating a framework for data collection to better track and evaluate programs receiving state funding. In recent years, California has invested billions of dollars to address the state’s severe housing and homelessness crisis, yet homelessness has continued to increase significantly in many communities across the state.
“There is extreme frustration in the Legislature and around the state with the lack of progress on homelessness,” said Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel. “We can’t keep writing blank checks and hoping for the best. We need stronger oversight to hold local agencies accountable and ensure that state resources are being spent in the most efficient and effective manner possible. California residents, taxpayers, and our friends and neighbors experiencing homelessness deserve much better.”
“I am surprised and disappointed by the decision,” continued Assemblymember Gabriel. “But I will continue to fight for stronger accountability, transparency, and data-driven policymaking, especially when it comes to meeting the biggest challenges facing our state or helping the most vulnerable among us.”
Despite significant investments in recent years, homelessness has continued to increase significantly in many cities across California. For example, according to the most recent official counts, homelessness increased by double digits for the second consecutive year in both the city and county of Los Angeles.