Newsom unveils $12 billion plan to combat homelessness in California

Plan announced during second leg of 'California Comeback' tour

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - Governor Gavin Newsom wants to make a big investment in solving California's homeless problem.

Gov. Newsom on Tuesday unveiled a $12 billion dollar plan that aims to end family homelessness statewide within five years. The proposal calls for the creation of more than 46,000 units, the largest boost to homeless housing in California's history.

The plan builds on "Project Room Key" and "Project Home Key," two initiatives launched last year to put roofs over homeless heads. Newsom said the speed with which those projects brought results was surprising.

"These programs move with a sense of urgency and focus, the likes of which we have never advanced in the state of California. This site was procured in just a few months. This would have taken years to build something like this, to house individuals, to process the permits, neighborhood input, neighborhood opposition, issues related to furnishing it, providing the on site case management. All of that happened in a matter of months, building on our program." said the governor. "Six thousand units over a six month period. A demonstrable example of what we're capable of doing when we have that sense of urgency backed up by strategies and plans to get things done."

Newsom made the announcement during the second leg of his week-long "California Comeback" tour. The governor on Monday revealed the first phase of his plan for the state's post-pandemic recovery. It focuses on providing huge state tax rebates to jump start the economy, as well as expanded rent relief and utility assistance.