Overview
- The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to adopt the spending plan for the county’s new Department of Homeless Services and Housing.
- Pathway Home funding drops by $92 million, shrinking operations from 20 project sites to seven as 13 motel sites close and planned encampment cleanups fall from 30 to 10 next year.
- $27 million is cut from outreach and navigation along with reductions to prevention and other supports, though updated Measure A revenue restored about two dozen outreach positions and roughly 100 shelter beds.
- Supervisors also ordered stricter contract oversight with the auditor-controller, including random site visits and performance monitoring, with a detailed plan due in 60 days.
- County leaders cited a gap exceeding $270 million tied to higher operating costs and expiring grants, compounded by broader budget strain from a roughly $4.3 billion legal settlement, while providers warned the cuts will extend time spent homeless and increase visibility in communities.