Issue Position: Homelessness

Issue Position

If you live in any city in California, it's obvious that homelessness is growing unchecked right now. Tent cities are lining entire city blocks and areas such as Los Angeles' Skid Row are much larger than that.

This issue is one of the most challenging for our state. Many of the homeless are not simply lacking housing but have mental health or substance abuse issues. We've seen and heard of seemingly random, violent attacks from transients on others around the state. Ending homelessness is not just a question of putting a roof over someone's head -- there are other problems that must be addressed to ensure long-term improvements in their lives and in our public spaces.

I've come to believe that an entirely voluntary approach is a failure. For many homeless, coercion will be necessary to get them help and integrated back into society and living the lives that they deserve.

Our current homeless crisis, with tens of thousands living without shelter, without medical treatment, without mental health services, is inhumane. To look at the streets of San Francisco or Los Angeles is to know that merely inviting this population to use these services, is inadequate.

I will ensure homeless get off streets through humane, mandatory treatment.

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