Governor Gavin Newsom is creating a new commission on homelessness and housing to address one of California's most difficult problems, and he is trusting Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg to head that commission.
The Democratic governor said in his first State of the State speech Tuesday that it is a moral issue that has also become a public health crisis.
He cited mental illness, drug abuse and recent disease outbreaks and has proposed spending $600 million for homelessness care.
Newsom's administration recently sued Huntington Beach for failing to reach housing goals and says he will meet with other city leaders next week. He says he won't preside over "neglect and denial," and says cities must provide their fair share of affordable housing.