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Castillo said the anti-poverty group will remain opposed to the CARE Court framework unless lawmakers address the concerns outlined in the letter, especially the plans failure to address access to housing and its insistence on empowering judges to mandate care. Gavin Newsom. 1. We worked 25 hours a day to design what eventually become Project Roomkey. The state hasstruggled to get tenants and landlords to enrollin existing benefits. Callahan is a Democrat. Elliott was joined on the virtual panel, moderated by CalMatters, by Jennifer Svec, legislative advocate for the California Association of Realtors; Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, a Democrat from the East Bay; and Adam Fowler, research director at Beacon Economics, all of whom agreed that a supply shortage waslargely responsible for ballooning home prices. We have the wrong reflex around housing in the state. Gavin Newsoms gubernatorial campaign. This is a very small segment of the population. Titles are always hard to figure out in the Newsom administration, and nowhere is that truer than with Jason Elliott, a senior counselor to the governor. Whoops! The State Building and Construction Trades Council has pushed to include a requirement in housing bills that would force the new units to be built with union labor. And that was not its intention. Gavin Newsom unveiled a far-reaching effort to push more people into court-ordered treatment for severe mental illness and addiction, homeless advocates are calling it legally misguided and immoral as the proposals first public hearing at the state Capitol has been delayed. Hopefully were starting to see more economic recovery coming out of COVID, although I do think its going to be a very uneven recovery, she said. A: California struggles and has struggled for decades to provide adequate housing for people experiencing homelessness. And then the high risk factor you apply to that population. Prior to joining CalEPA, Christine served as Assistant Director for Policy Development at the California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), where she previously served as Deputy Director for Legislative Affairs. The State Building and Construction Trades Council has pushed to include a requirement in housing bills that would force the new units to be built with union labor. Housing | Yes, it has. Theyre just exhausted, Newsom said during the KQED interview. A: I remember it was a Sunday afternoon and I was walking my dog and I got a call from our then chief of staff Ann OLeary and she said I need you at (the Office of Emergency Services) right now. Is it the only thing we have to do to solve homelessness? Those concerns are likely to be raised as Newsom continues to conduct roundtable discussions with stakeholders throughout the state. Between working on the states pandemic response seven days a week and raising a baby, theres very little time to do anything else. Gavin Newsoms proposal to compel people into court-ordered treatment for mental illness and addiction is a sense of urgency to solve a decades-old crisis festering on Californias streets even if it means building the plane as it flies. Elliott said that while the state can build housing for people experiencing homelessness and the very poor, the private sector is essential to easing the housing shortage. The policy differences? The program would be voluntary and include assistance from both a public defender and a so-called supporter, a person who would serve as a personal guide through the recovery process. 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Newsoms approval hobbled by crime fears, homelessness crisis, poll finds, De Len proposes a new city department of mental and public health, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, sheriff says, Look up: The 32 most spectacular ceilings in Los Angeles, Winter storms ease drought conditions in California, report shows, 19 cafes that make L.A. a world-class coffee destination, Newsom, IRS give Californians until October to file tax returns, This fabled orchid breeder loves to chat just not about Trader Joes orchids, Best coffee city in the world? I think its going to disproportionately impact low-income communities, Black and brown communities, so making sure people use the benefit I think is key.. You cant bid high enough on labor to get the folks you need so its kind of a moot point for the foreseeable future, he said. We have the wrong reflex around housing in the state. But we can never let ourselves be stopped by feeling like were not making an impact. In response, Jason Elliott, Newsom's top advisor on homelessness, said "every effort would be made to get them indoors." . 5. Now, a little over a month into Mayor London Breeds term, Elliott is leaving City Hall to work for Lt. Gov. Q: How can we continue this momentum post-pandemic? The groups often have significant sway among liberal legislative Democrats, the kind of influence that could hinder Newsoms hopes for a new law to be in place by July 1. Mayoral candidate and Councilman Kevin de Len wants the city to withdraw from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. The governors new plan to create a court-ordered treatment effort is being sharply criticized by anti-poverty groups and civil libertarians. Gavin Newsom, Born: New York City, but grew up in Palo Alto, Family: Lives with his wife and their 15-month-old daughter, Prior job: Chief of staff to San Francisco Mayors Ed Lee and London Breed, and policy director for Newsom when he was mayor. Q: How did the impact of the pandemic, and the response, differ in the states two regions with the worst homelessness crises the Bay Area, and Los Angeles? Elliott sat down for an exit interview with KQED politics reporter Marisa Lagos. Stay up to date on the news you need to know. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, California judges could order help for homeless Californians under Newsoms new plan, What we know about Newsoms plan to compel care for homeless, mentally ill Californians, Gov. More by Manuela Tobias, Jason Elliott, Gov. Newsom dissed local applicants for seeming too complacent about a dire California problem, while the applicants retorted that the Newsom administration sent conflicting signals and that in any case, state lawmakers had inadvertently given them a financial motive to lowball their goals. That has not happened here, the letter says. He said the question of how to close the homeless spigot is motivating them to think bigger and be more. Clear out encampments, and at the same time connect people with housing and services. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters. Over the coming months, he would advise two different mayors as the city went through a truncated and highly contentious special election to replace Lee. Its not really realistic to assume were going to subsidize our way out of this. Our behavioral health system is stretched very thin.. At the heart of Gov. Gavin Newsom, Elliott serves as the governors top housing and homelessness adviser. Put that in context how big a deal is that in a state that for decades has struggled to build enough housing? Elliott said he was watching with glee the Biden administrations $5 billion proposal as part of his infrastructure planto encourage local governments to end exclusionary zoningand other practices. So what of the slew of housing bills at the state Capitol? LA County reports 14 COVID-related deaths, 1,300-plus cases on Friday We started with a lot of ideas. Housing policy advocates described Newsom's stated goal of 3.5 million new homes in four years the same way he has: aspirational. Elliott was joined on the virtual panel, moderated by CalMatters, by Jennifer Svec, legislative advocate for the California Association of Realtors; Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, a Democrat from the East Bay; and Adam Fowler, research director at Beacon Economics, all of whom agreed that a supply shortage was largely responsible for ballooning home prices. Was it the personality differences? There is a crisis on our streets.. Within hours, Lee died -- and Elliot had to step up to help keep the city running. "x|.gpr9w5+9VD34[1d3 k=D.$Y+P&@H)1IPv&cN}`r=(s6hYp4r>]dV>:pvV5R"F-"0%4X=?>RYQ;:h]"{A'`MW;J Jason Elliott, Newsom's senior counselor, will move into the deputy chief of staff role. The governor said that CARE Court would focus on the most vulnerable Californians suffering from severe mental health conditions such as schizophrenia and individuals who have cycled in and out of hospitals and jails. SonyaLogman, 30,of Antelope, has been appointedDeputy Cabinet Secretary. We couldnt control the outcome of the mayoral election, and my advice to staff and department heads was: Dont try to do that. Jason Elliott, Gov. View Jason Elliott's business profile as Senior Counselor On Housing at Newsom. Thats goal number one.. Jason Elliott is the top housing adviser to Gov. Its a new day, new paradigm, and we are looking forward to getting something big done.. Gov. For all we knew, this was going to happen in a matter of weeks. Elliott sidestepped another question, about whether the administration would seek to extend the statewide eviction moratorium, which is set to end June 30, as the state doubles its rent relief funds with an additional $2.6 billion from the federal government. Project Roomkey has sheltered more than 35,000 homeless Californians in hotels and motels throughout the state, giving people over 65 or with medical conditions a safer place to ride out the pandemic. Its not really realistic to assume were going to subsidize our way out of this, Elliott said. Seeman is a Democrat. Standing next to the governor on . Acting Governor Eleni Kounalakis Signs Legislation to Support States COVID-19 Preparedness, PHOTOS: Governor Newsom Visits Diablo Canyon Power Plant, More Time to File State Taxes for Californians Impacted by December and January Winter Storms, Governor Newsom on Read Across America Day: While Other States Ban Books, Were Helping Students Read, Governor Newsom Proclaims State of Emergency in 13 Counties Due to Winter Storms, Activates California Guard. Because CARE Court will harm Californians with disabilities, experiencing homelessness, and involved in the criminal legal system, we cannot support this proposal., Cynthia Castillo, a policy advocate for the Western Center on Law and Poverty, said Newsoms plan seems to be expanding the bureaucracy of homelessness services.. Were putting out more homeless housing through this program than we probably do in several years under normal circumstances. Want to submit a guest commentary or reaction to an article we wrote? Health | They say that's because the state doesn't build housing in . Elliott spoke with this news organization about those programs, how they started, and where we go from here. Newsoms administration believes that 7,000 to 12,000 people could qualify for the court-ordered care, a fraction of the estimated 161,000 people experiencing homelessness in California. hV[k0+eeJ!l>;h\aaK:}>>Z -A Most recently,Seeman servedas deputy legislative secretary in the Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., where he advised on matters related to criminal justice, law enforcement, corrections and the judiciary. A moratorium until the end of time that doesnt provide a sufficient benefit to get people to enroll, Elliott said, trailing off. Which is why we need the private sector to do what it does, which is to build housing.. Q: Describe what it was like in the governors office when the pandemic hit and you realized we could be dealing with a potentially devastating health crisis for our homeless population? Jason Elliott, Newsom's top housing and homelessness advisor, said Monday that the administration expected some opposition to the proposal. Prior to that, she held roles as Appointments Director for the Senate Rules Committee, Deputy Director of the Center for CaliforniaStudies at California State University, Sacramento, Director of the Senate Fellows Program, Chief of Staff to Senator Barry Keene, consultant to Assembly Majority Consultants, legislative aide to U.S. What could reparations mean for Black residents of Alameda County? Enter address: This website, like most media sites, uses small files called cookies to anonymously customize the advertising that you see. Housing | We have lost people back to the streets out of Project Roomkey. Newsom proposes plan to help homeless Californians with severe psychiatric, substance abuse and addiction issues get into housing and treatment. Concerns about rising crime and the homelessness crisis emerged as the top issues driving voter dissatisfaction with Gov. Housing | Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters By CALmatters | Healso worked for the California Air Resources Board(CARB)onlegislation relating climate. Her stories focus on So I hopped in my car, drove over to Mather where OES is, and went into a conference room where the governor, Ann and a few others were, and sort of started at that point to realize how fundamentally this was going to change everything. If you would like to customise your choices, click 'Manage privacy settings'. By clicking subscribe, you agree to theTerms. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100,008. Jason Elliott: So for me, nobody takes a job of chief of staff thinking youre going to be the one who has to call the president of the Board of Supervisors at 1 in the morning. This is a part-time position and does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation $81,897. Elliott sidestepped another question, about whether the administration would seek to extend the statewide eviction moratorium, which is set to end June 30,as the state doubles its rent relief funds withan additional $2.6 billion from the federal government. And it aimed to protect some of the most vulnerable Californians from a disease that we didnt know anything about. 1. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. With this $1.75 billion (the governor proposed spending $1.75 billion on homeless housing, including $750 million to continue Homekey) we want to create this momentum behind Homekey and not have it be a one-time thing. A: I remember it was a Sunday afternoon and I was walking my dog and I got a call from our then chief of staff Ann OLeary and she said I need you at (the Office of Emergency Services) right now. Q: As a result of Homekey, the state has added more than 6,000 new long-term housing units in less than six months. We, Yahoo, are part of the Yahoo family of brands. By clicking subscribe, you agree to the Terms. Emily Swide, 25, of Sacramento, has been appointed Director of Schedulingfor the Governor. That's how many homes the Legislature has mandated California cities to plan for by 2030, and Newsom's team is making sure they do. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $135,000. Title: Senior Counselor to Gov. Instead, California should invest in evidence-based practices that are proven to work and that will actually empower people living with mental health disabilities on their paths to recovery and allow them to retain full autonomy over their lives without the intrusion of a court.. Jason Elliott, Newsom's adviser on homeless issues, said the partnership between the city of San Diego, Caltrans and City Net is one that could be a model throughout the state. They said they worry that CARE Court would disproportionately target people of color, who are more likely to be homeless and diagnosed with psychotic disorders, and that CARE Court would enable unacceptable shortcuts in the legal system that could remove bodily autonomy and medical decision-making power. Jason Elliott Title: Senior Counselor to Gov. Gavin Newsom. We knew that a proposal this consequential, a proposal that aims to change the status quo so deeply, wasnt going to be received unanimously, wasnt going to be received with everyone clapping and cheering, Elliott said. But getting a good read on his thinking can be difficult. So wed really like to see communities not only continue the portfolio that they have under Project Roomkey, but potentially expand it, and expand it significantly. As senior counselor to Gov. Sign up for The Roundup, A central component of CARE Court is accountability, which Newsom said will drive results. Do the best you can -- what Ed Lee would want us to do is to run the city as professionally as we possibly can. I believe it is crucial to invest in a free, just and unbiased press, especially in California when all three aspects are in peril. On the eviction moratorium, Wicks said she was working closely with Assemblymember David Chius office to make sure tenants are protected but landlords receive missed back rent. Q: What percent of Project Roomkey clients have exited to permanent housing? Our free newsletter is delivered at 8 a.m. daily. Housing | Newsom also attached accountability measures to the program, including sanctions for local governments that dont comply with program requirements and diverting people into stricter conservatorships or letting their paused criminal cases continue if they fail to meet their CARE plan obligations. To move the needle, Elliott pitched the statewide Housing Accountability Unit, which Newsomproposed in his January budget. Tell me about that transition and sort of what your role has been. Some were practical and some were impossible. So our responsibility now as a state is to continue to put fuel in the tank of this solution. He hasnt had a day off in months. Marisa Kendall is a housing reporter for the Bay Area News Group who covers homelessness for The Mercury News and East Bay Times. g 8 endstream endobj startxref 0 %%EOF 55 0 obj <>stream He spearheaded two programs that together wound up being one of the states biggest feats during the unprecedented pandemic. Has it become a model for the rest of the country? She graduated from American University with a BA degree in literature with a minor in journalism. Its just not something you ever want to do. Many affordable housing developers argue there just isnt the available workforce so that mandate would only increase the cost of construction. Yes, it has. One example: a 2013 law designed to increase infill development in green zones, which Elliott said could potentially allow for millions of housing units to be built. Gov. This is not going to end homelessness, Kushel said. Have it become a fundamental part of addressing homelessness in California. Elliott acknowledged the state's behavioral health system has . And in this case, Homekey works. The state has struggled to get tenants and landlords to enroll in existing benefits. Steer more federal dollars into homeless response. And if the question is has it worked, I think unequivocally the answer is yes. Sabelhauspreviously served as a Special Advisor on Appointments and Public Safety for Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. Secretly, he still does. LA County reports 15 More COVID-related deaths; 882 new cases, How California used COVID-19 to create housing;, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), How California used COVID-19 to create housing; a top Newsom adviser weighs in, Pasadena to terminate local COVID-19 orders this month, LA County reports 14 COVID-related deaths, 1,300-plus cases on Friday, As COVID health emergency ends, LA County officials still urge caution, UCLA nurses want end to COVID-era overcrowding in hospital halls and rooms, LA County reports 15 More COVID-related deaths; 882 new cases. Read More. hbbd```b``Z""H>UD>&jH`AH2::30m\ She previously covered startups and venture capital for the Bay Area News Group and prior to that court cases for The Recorder in San Francisco. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters In summary Gavin Newsom's adviser on housing and homelessness, said that while the state can build housing for homeless people and the very poor, the private sector is essential to easing the statewide housing shortage. Put that in context how big a deal is that in a state that for decades has struggled to build enough housing? "Local government has a responsibility to put their hands up and be part of the solution," said Jason Elliott, Newsom's senior counselor on housing and homelessness. My favorite part of the job is when we get together in a room and theres just this unsolvable, complicated problem, and you get to just dive into it and unpack it piece by piece and try to help solve the unsolvable. Timing is also a key decision for Newsom. Were heading down the same path here, Elliott said. Hebegan his careerat the State Capitolas a legislativeaide to State Senator FranPavley. But the bottom line is that he tackles difficult issues and advises the governor on how to respond, and his portfolio is expanding exponentially.