FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 24, 2025

Sacramento, CA – The California State Association of Counties (CSAC) Chief Executive Officer Graham Knaus issued the following statement:

“Governor Newsom’s latest in a long series of websites is just spin without the substance to back it up. Counties aren’t the bottleneck to addressing housing and homelessness. The real barriers to progress are the state-mandated bureaucratic hurdles that slow local governments down, forcing them to navigate a maze to get resources on the ground.

Counties believe in accountability, and we welcome HHAP Rounds 5 and 6 funding. But nothing the governor announced today moves California any closer to tackling the problem. The money going out the door today is two years overdue. And the governor’s threat to block future funding for local governments puts headlines above solutions.

Progress will remain frustratingly slow until we work together to address the gaps in responsibility at all levels of government – including the state. Blaming local governments won’t alleviate the homelessness crisis. Real partnership and long-term investments will.”

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