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According to a September 2019 report by the Council of Economic Advisors, 47% of America's homeless live in California. We applaud the Governor for recognizing no members of his Administration or the majority party in California have a solution to California's growing homelessness problem. However, we wish he could have found someone who is closer to the crisis, not someone living 3,000 miles away from it.
From CalMatters (12/5/19):
Gov. Gavin Newsom preemptively poked at President Trump over homelessness on Wednesday, an illustration that the issue is increasingly politicized.
- California has the largest homeless population in the nation.
- Polls show increased voter frustration with homelessness.
- Trump criticizes California for failing to confront the issue, saying in September “we’re looking at it, and we will be doing something about it at the appropriate time.”
Newsom announced Wednesday that he retained a homelessness expert, Matthew Doherty, who was forced out by the Trump administration three weeks ago as the Interagency Council on Homelessness executive director.
The Washington Post quoted from Doherty’s farewell email to colleagues:
“I believe that I have been able to keep my integrity intact; but, they have now told me to pack my things up and go.”
Doherty’s ouster generated chatter that Trump was preparing to act, though exactly what the feds can do about California’s homelessness is not clear.
Nor is Doherty’s role in California clear. A Newsom spokesman said his pay had not been determined. He will be a contract worker advising Newsom officials but remain in Washington, D.C.