California Governor Gavin Newsom is set to accelerate the deployment of $3.3 billion in bond funds for the construction of mental health treatment facilities. This announcement, scheduled for Tuesday in San Mateo County, aims to expedite the commencement of inpatient and outpatient centers by July, months ahead of the initially projected timeline. This funding represents the initial portion of a $6.4 billion bond approved under Proposition 1 in March 2024, a measure aimed at overhauling the state’s mental health system and addressing its homelessness crisis.
The bond seeks to facilitate the creation of over 10,000 treatment beds and 45,000 outpatient slots, with additional plans to later fund the development of 13,000 permanent supportive housing units. Embedded in the initiative is a controversial policy to mandate the treatment of individuals with severe mental illness and substance disorders. Funding eligibility extends to counties, cities, tribes, nonprofit, and for-profit entities, requiring matching funds or collateral.
Included in the reforms is an expansion of the criteria for detaining and treating those with severe mental health issues, a component that has faced opposition from some civil liberties groups. Grant applications will be reviewed rapidly, potentially allowing for allocation near the year's end, signaling a swift governmental response to the pressing health and social challenges dictated by Proposition 1’s passage.