In California, spending to support homeless people is on the rise, and so is homelessness, leading many to question the effectiveness of the programs being funded, but one city is showing promising results.
Bakersfield officials say a city-run effort for residents facing or nearing homelessness is beginning to post measurable results after receiving nearly $2 million in state support for mental health, substance abuse, and housing services.
Here’s what to know
Over the first 18 months, Bakersfield’s Proposition 47 program worked with 144 people, and city officials told KGET the results are “trending in the right direction.”
According to Jamie Achterberg, assistant to the city manager with the City of Bakersfield, the three-year initiative is funded by an award of just under $2 million from the California Board of State and Community Corrections and has covered behavioral health treatment for 76 people and substance use treatment for 47 others, KGET reported…