Proposition 1 Would Authorize $6.38 Billion in Bonds for Mental Health Treatment and Permanent Supportive

Proposition 1, if approved by California voters on the March ballot, would do two main things: approve a $6.38 billion bond to build thousands of permanent supportive housing units for people with mental illness and/or substance use disorders, and change the terms of the Mental Health Services Act, a 2004 law that uses a 1% tax on high earners (people with incomes over $1 million per year) to help pay for county mental health services.  

 In California we have more than 171,000 people experiencing homelessness every day. The state doesn’t have enough housing supply for the demand that exists, and costs to provide new housing opportunities have risen dramatically.  A 2016 McKinsey study noted that to satisfy pent-up demand and meet the needs of a growing population, California needs to build 3.5 million homes by 2025, a number we are woefully short of achieving even if the legislature was focused on making drastic changes to how we approve housing. 

 Proposition 1 would increase the funding spent on housing and support services for people with mental illness and substance use disorders, and reduce spending on existing county services like outpatient treatment and crisis response.  While Proposition 1 does not come at an opportune time for California’s finances as we face a $73 billion budget deficit this year, we do need to find solutions to address the increasing impact on mental health to those currently living on our streets.  A recent UCSF study of 3,200 people experiencing homelessness found that 82% had experienced a serious mental health condition, and nearly two thirds of people reported having had a period in their life where they regularly used illicit drugs or heavily used alcohol.   

 For more information on Proposition 1, please check out the Voter Guide or contact Crisand Giles for more information.