Ca moves quickly to spend billions in the housing bond of mental health

The Newsom Administration is moving quickly to spread to May billions of dollars from the mental health bond in 2024, closely approved by voters, but there are concerns as to whether the areas of the state that are most needed will be left, according to the legislative supervision of this week’s legislative supervision.

Proposal 1Supported by governor Gavin Newo, promised to enter $ 6.4 billion in the mental health and addiction system of the state. NEWSOM promised the voters that this move would help the state turn to its A crisis of homelessnesswhich is often publicly associated with Problems with mental health and use of substancesS

The bigger part of the money, $ 4.4 billion will be used to build Shortage of 10,000 bedsS The remaining money from the bonds will be used for dwellings and managed by the State Housing Department.

NEWSOM wanted to move as quickly as possible. Last year he announced that the state would do so Release the bond money months before graphicsS During a press conference last year, Newsom told Counts to move with a “sense of urgency.”

“You are either part of the problem or you are not. Period, ”he said at that time.

But this timeline may neglect the counties that have the less resources for mental health.

“Moving that money quickly comes to a price because there will be some that have remained behind them,” says Susan Holt, director of behavioral health of Freshno County, during a hearing on Tuesday.

Small and rural counties say that they simply have no labor or experience to navigate the complex requirements for grant regulating this one -time investment in multi -million dollars. Recently A legislative analyzer’s office report He found that the bigger part of the money distributed by programs similar to Prop 1 in the past go to regions of the state that needed the least. The area with the highest dissatisfied need, the South Valley of San Joaquin, did not receive any state money in previous funding rounds.

In order to meet the needs of the population, the region must almost triple its capacity.

Before Prop.

“I can speak with conviction and confidence that we understand the emergency,” Holt said. “Sometimes with this lot of money we have to go a little more slowly in order to go faster in the end.”

Counties are also concerned that the state has provided money for medical facilities, but not for labor or services.

Ryan Miller, an analyst from the office of the legislative analyst, examined how the state spent such construction funds in the past. His analysis found that the state has historically awarded funds for “launching” ready -made projects that can be completed on a quick time line, criteria that give preference to more complex cities.

Which regions have more mental health funding?

For example, a 2022 RAND survey found that Los Angeles and the larger Sacramento region had sufficient capacity for acute adult care, but jointly, these areas received nearly three-quarters of the funding allocated for acute care, approximately $ 130 million, according to the analyst’s office. Instead, these areas need a greater need for sub-stake and residential treatment in the community.

“Much of the resources and staff are needed to draw up a fascinating project to start a readiness,” Miller said.

Other areas of the state that have received less money than expected based on the need are the internal empire, the central coast and the bay area, Miller said.

The sport of the Assembly Jacqui Irwin, who is the author of the legislation that puts support 1 on the newsletter, said the voters are very skeptical of how the state spends their money and these promises are given to receive money in the counts quickly. But the democrat of a thousand oaks also questioned whether the accelerated time order is reasonable.

Prog. 1 passed With the strongest margins last year, 50.2% to 49.8%.

“Do you think the administration is too aggressive or is the goals realistic?” said Irvin.

Return State Projects in which they believe they will succeed

Marlis Perez, head of the Department of Health, returned against the idea that the awards would leave small cities behind.

“I do not want to look like we award only the most brilliant applications,” Perez said, pointing to almost $ 200 million grants that were awarded at small counties before support 1.

At the same time, the administration must support projects that can actually be completed, Perez said.

According to the analyst’s office, 18 small counties have not received funding in previous grants. According to Perez 16 of them, they did not apply.

“Unfortunately, we can only award the one who applies. That was a challenge, “Perez said.

Her office helps these counties with the application and now expects seven to apply for the next round of funding. One of the more difficult requirements for grant is that the facilities guarantee that they can provide services for the next 30 years.

However, with more than $ 3.3 billion, which unfolds in two months, there is a little space to turn on how the money will be directed. This circle of grants will focus again on the project “Starting”. The remaining $ 1.1 billion will be awarded by the beginning of 2026.

Applicants have submitted projects for a total value of over $ 8.8 billion, doubled the amount of money available, an indication of heavy needs throughout the country.

According to the Assembly member, Joaquin Arambula, a Democrat from Freen, said that when the system rewards those who historically managed to provide services, there is a risk of “baking historical inequalities and differences”.

Supported by the California Foundation for Health (CHCF), which works to ensure that people have access to the necessary care when they need it, at a price they can afford. Visit www.chcf.org to learn more.