State of California Archives: on Welfare & Poverty
Duf Sundheim:
Address the 8.9 million Californians living in poverty
California has suffered an economic earthquake that has cracked the Golden State in two. In Silicon Valley we are witnessing one of the greatest accumulations of wealth in the history of civilization. At the same time, large swaths of this state have
been left behind by years of bad government decisions. There are 8.9 million Californians living in poverty.The historic paths to the middle class are being choked off.
In fact, the fastest growing path to the middle class today is a government job. So it is not "what you know," it is "who you know." And an economy based on "who you know" has a
disproportionate negative impact on citizens of disadvantaged backgrounds or modest means. The answer to America's problems lies in addressing the problems these voters and voters like them across the nation face every day.
Source: Sundheim letter on Medium.com on 2016 California Senate race
Sep 14, 2015
Gavin Newsom:
Homelessness must be at the top of our agenda
The most pernicious crisis in our midst is the ultimate manifestation of poverty: homelessness. It is a disgrace. It is our responsibility, and it must be at the top of our agenda.We are making available 286 state properties--vacant lots,
fairgrounds, armories and other state buildings--to be used by local governments, for free, for homelessness solutions. We have lease templates ready to go--and we're ready for partnership.
When we don't build housing for people at all income levels,
we worsen the homeless crisis. It's a vicious cycle. And the only sustainable way out of it is to massively increase housing production. Let's match our courage on homelessness with courage on housing supply. This means a commitment--right now, this
year--to major reform that will eliminate red tape, and delays for building critically needed housing--like affordable, multifamily homes--especially near transit and downtowns.
Source: 2020 California State of the State address
Feb 19, 2020
Gavin Newsom:
Right to Shelter: work with counties on homelessness
Some have recommended a legal "Right to Shelter." It's a provocative idea which forced the State to explore the limits of what local governments can be compelled to do. But right now, our imperative must be bringing governments together as working
partners, not sparring partners in a court of law. Instead we are proposing strict accountability, comprehensive audits and a "do-it-or-lose-it" policy to hold local governments responsible for results. Take action or lose access to this new funding.
California has and will continue to extend its hand of partnership to Washington, seeking to jointly address this issue. Honestly, this partnership should be a given. But empty words and symbolic gestures won't mask a 15 percent across-the-board cut
to HUD's budget. I'm old enough to remember when HUD was in the housing business. And I'm hopeful it will be again. After all, homelessness isn't a blue or a red issue. It's an everyone issue--a blight on the soul of America.
Source: 2020 California State of the State address
Feb 19, 2020
Gavin Newsom:
Nearly $2 billion to create more homeless housing
I'm mindful that we aren't truly addressing the needs of people in poverty unless we account for the biggest pressure most families face: housing and housing stability. Project Roomkey, launched in April, has provided over 35,000 homeless Californians
with safe shelter from COVID. And Homekey, launched in July, created more than 6,000 new permanent housing units during the pandemic, buying hotels and motels and converting them at a third of the cost of traditional supportive housing.
Now, bringing the same spirit of innovation behind Project Roomkey and Homekey, we're committing nearly $2 billion this year to create more homeless housing, addressing mental health and substance abuse
issues, and ending homelessness one person at a time. No one denies this is a huge challenge, but we know what it means to stare down big challenges.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to California legislature
Mar 9, 2021
Gavin Newsom:
Address homelessness with 55,000 new housing units
The Governor's Blueprint ensures vulnerable people have the necessary help to get off our streets and get the mental health treatment they need. The plan adds $2 billion for mental health housing and services and clearing encampments. Governor
Newsom's new investments expand on last year's $12 billion package--all told, creating 55,000 new housing units and treatment slots for people exiting homelessness.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to California legislature
Feb 10, 2022
James Bradley:
Funds for working families for affordable housing
HOMELESSNESS:- Immediate target solutions to resolve the homelessness in California
- Provide rehabilitation and job opportunities through public and private partnerships
- Author a bill to address homelessness and federal funds to guarantee
working families a tiered approach: first, last month rent and security deposits with no credit check for affordable housing
- Advocacy of conventional public policy designed to increase the supply of low cost, no frills housing
Source: 2021 California Senate campaign website BradleySenate.com
Jun 29, 2021
Jerry Brown:
1977: Visited tenement & prison to see 1st-hand
Neel Kashkari released an ad Wednesday in which he went to Fresno with just $40 in his pocket to look for work, to test whether the state's economy has improved since his opponent Gov. Jerry Brown (D) took office in 2011. Brown's campaign dismissed it as
a stunt, but Brown himself has done something along the same lines before.In 1977, Brown showed up unannounced to a tenement building called "The Pink Palace" in San Francisco, where he met residents and stayed the night. "I get firsthand knowledge
uncensored by the normal channels," Brown said at the time. He also visited state prisons and mental hospitals.
Kashkari said that he wished Brown would do visits like that again. "I think it's great," he said. "I think it'd be great for the governor
to get out of his cocoon."
A spokesman for Brown's campaign said, "Gov. Brown has spent a lifetime involved in these issues; Kashkari is a multimillionaire banker who put on a costume and posed as something he isn't."
Source: Washington Post on 2014 California gubernatorial race
Aug 3, 2014
Kamala Harris:
Tenants not named in foreclosure can stop eviction process
Harris issued an information bulletin to California law enforcement agencies to reinforce integral eviction procedures under the California Homeowner Bill of Rights. Under current California law, occupants of a foreclosed property who are not named
in eviction documents - such as tenants - can present a "Claim of Right to Possession" form to temporarily stop the eviction process up to and including when the Sheriff comes to remove them from the property.
Source: 2012 California A.G./gubernatorial press release
Jul 2, 2012
Neel Kashkari:
With $40 & no job, economy hasn't improved since 2011
Neel Kashkari went to Fresno with just $40 in his pocket to look for work, to test whether the state's economy has improved since his opponent Gov. Jerry Brown (D) took office in 2011. Brown himself has done something along the same lines before. In
1977, when he was governor for the first time, Brown showed up unannounced to a tenement building called "The Pink Palace" in San Francisco, where he met residents and stayed the night. "I get firsthand knowledge uncensored by the normal channels,"
Brown said at the time.
Kashkari said that he wished Brown would do visits like that again.: "I think it'd be great for the governor to get out of his cocoon." Kashkari said before filming in Fresno, he had also stayed in a homeless shelter for a night
in Oakland last year and worked alongside migrant workers. "I was looking for ways to bring the issues to the forefront," he said. "I only got a sliver of a taste of what they were experiencing because I knew at the end of the week, I'd get to go home."
Source: Washington Post AdWatch: 2014 California gubernatorial race
Aug 3, 2014
Kevin Kiley:
Audit $2.7B spent and help transition out of homelessness
Homelessness is an especially unfortunate example. In 2019, 1,039 homeless people died on the streets of Los Angeles, and the state's overall homeless population was growing faster than the rest of the country combined. At the same time, we spent
$2.7 billion more to address the problem over a two-year period. The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst warned more funds would "quickly dissipate" because there was no strategy, yet in early 2020
Newsom wanted to add $1.4 billion in additional spending. I proposed a full audit of where funding was going and what outcomes were being achieved, so that our spending would be informed by data about what would best help
Californians transition out of homelessness or avoid it altogether. I was one vote away from getting the audit approved when Newsom pressured three legislators to "abstain."
Source: KileyForCalifornia.com website on 2021 CA recall race
Aug 4, 2021
Barbara Lee:
Ending poverty is a moral and economic imperative
As a member of the powerful federal spending committee, Congresswoman Lee has led the fight to preserve and expand critical safety net programs like unemployment insurance, housing assistance, child care, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). She firmly believes that ending poverty in the world's rich and most powerful nation is a moral and economic imperative. Additionally, Lee has long championed global poverty eradication efforts.
Source: 2024 California Senate campaign website Lee.House.gov
Jul 19, 2022
Katie Porter:
2012: Sounded alarm about predatory practices on homeowners
Before the housing bubble burst, I was one of the first to sound the alarm about Wall Street's predatory practices targeting homeowners, winning recognition from the New York Times and many others.In 2012, then California Attorney General Kamala
Harris appointed me to be California's watchdog against the banks. The banks had promised to pay billions to homeowners they cheated, and Harris appointed me to make sure the banks followed through. My team and I held the banks' feet to the fire,
securing over $18 billion and helping tens of thousands of families move forward with their lives.
As an advocate, I have sought reforms that help families get a fair shake in our economy. I have been a key player in the fight against abusive credit
card fees and, in 2010, helped pass important federal credit card protections for families. I have written three books that document how Washington special interests skew our laws and cut off the legal rights of families who play by the rules.
Source: Ballotpedia Candidate Connection:2018 California Senate race
Nov 1, 2018
Laphonza Butler:
Address housing shortage & decades-long racial disparities
Senator Butler is concerned about the shortage of affordable housing, which has led to severe homelessness in California. As a member of the Senate Banking, Housing, & Urban Affairs Committee, she is working to increase access to housing and combat the
decades-long racial disparities that exist in our housing market. She is concerned that private-equity firms and hedge funds have taken advantage of the housing crisis, which has led to skyrocketing housing costs and a shortage of available homes.
Source: 2024 California Senate campaign website butler.senate.gov
Sep 16, 2024
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026