Friday, March 6, 2020

California's Government Has Turned Homelessness Into Big Business

You might have noticed California is enduring housing and homeless crises.

The market solution to housing shortages is simple: Government should reduce regulations, slow-growth restrictions, rent controls and fees that limit supply and drive up prices.

Homelessness is a more complicated problem because homeless people often have addiction and mental-health issues, but more housing would help.

Gov. Gavin Newsom spent most of his recent State of the State speech detailing a blueprint for dealing with the "Disgraceful" homeless situation, which involves more public spending and programs.

They've noticed there's big money in the homeless business.

I'm not referring to the serious and important work Rescue Missions and other charities do to alleviate the sting of homelessness, but rather to the armies of bureaucrats and subsidized businesses who have little incentive to reduce homelessness-and every reason to seek more public revenues.

HHH bond measure, which voters approved in 2016 to fund supportive housing, "Will each cost more than $546,000, the median sale price of a condominium in Los Angeles." The report found it "Uncertain if the program will reach its goal of 10,000 new permanent housing units."


https://reason.com/2020/03/06/californias-government-has-turned-homelessness-into-big-business/

No comments: