Gavin Newsom, Elliott serves as the governors top housing and homelessness adviser. To move the needle, Elliott pitched the statewide Housing Accountability Unit, which Newsom proposed in his January budget. 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. People have had it. Prior to working for Governor Brown,he served as a legislative consultant to State Senator Mark Leno, working on criminal justice issues, as well as privacy and technology. Elliott: I think the most challenging part was trying to take the mayors staff and key department heads and insulate them from the political turmoil that was happening inside City Hall and around the city. Lagos: So you spent the last couple months helping London Breeds administration get settled. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters By CALmatters | Dee Dee Myers, another . A governors signature does not build new units, he said. With a proposed budget of $4.3 million, the unit would hold cities feet to the fire when they break existing housing law, and help them take advantage of laws already in place that streamline regulations and permits. California has about 30,000 to 35,000 shelter beds on any given night, almost all of which are filled. 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. He is married to Nicole Elliott, director of the state Department of Cannabis Control. 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. Elliott spoke with this news organization about those programs, how they started, and where we go from here. Logman is a Democrat. With a proposed budget of $4.3 million, the unit would hold cities feet to the fire when they break existing housing law, and help them take advantage of laws already in place that streamline regulations and permits. Jason Elliott Title: Senior Counselor to Gov. We have 108,000 unsheltered homeless people in California. He said the question of how to close the homeless spigot is motivating them to think bigger and be more aggressive. Sabelhaus is a Democrat. Some were really good and some were not so good. His biggest challenges as we go to press are housing, homelessness and mental health care, issues that have dominated the states discussions this year, so he has his work cut out for him. One idea: expanding motel conversions, an emergency plan during the pandemic. He highlighted $12 billion in the governors budget proposal for housing and homelessness and $1.75 billion to kick-start building on more than 6,000 of backlogged affordable housing units. If you would like to customise your choices, click 'Manage privacy settings'. There is a crisis on our streets.. hV[k0+eeJ!l>;h\aaK:}>>Z -A CARE Court is not the appropriate tool for providing a path to wellness for Californians living with mental health disabilities who face homelessness, incarceration, hospitalization, conservatorship, and premature death, the letter states. We couldnt control the outcome of the mayoral election, and my advice to staff and department heads was: Dont try to do that. So our responsibility now as a state is to continue to put fuel in the tank of this solution. Pasadena to terminate local COVID-19 orders this month 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. Elliott, a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School and Columbia University, has been with Newsom for years, working for him when Newsom was mayor of San Francisco and lieutenant governor. Health | In the Bay Area, the median home price soared to an all-time high of $1.3 million and the statewide median home price broke $800,000 last month. 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. Figueroa is a Democrat. Which is why we need the private sector to do what it does, which is to build housing.. 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. 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. Jason Elliott's Phone . The second program,Homekey, created 6,000 units of long-term homeless housing in less than six months, by giving cities and counties the money to purchase hotels and other buildings, and expediting the permitting process. Governor Newsom had previously announcedAna J.Matosantosas Cabinet Secretary,Jason Elliott as Chief Deputy Cabinet Secretary for Executive Branch Operations, and Angie Wei as Chief Deputy Cabinet Secretary for Policy Development. Hes the grandson of a Holocaust survivor. "California is responding to a crisis," tweeted Jason Elliott, Newsom's senior counselor for housing and homelessness. Certainly there have been outbreaks on Skid Row, certainly there have been outbreaks in some of the homeless facilities in the Tenderloin in San Francisco. The big takeaway: California is millions of. Do the best you can -- what Ed Lee would want us to do is to run the city as professionally as we possibly can. Swide is a Democrat. One example: a 2013 law designed toincrease infill developmentin green zones, which Elliott said could potentially allow for millions of housing units to be built. Please contact CalMatters with any commentary questions: commentary@calmatters.org. California has about 30,000 to 35,000 shelter beds on any given night, almost all of which are filled. We vehemently oppose the proposal because it has this coercive court process implemented, and no right to housing, Castillo said. Gov. Today, he announced: Jamie Callahan, 33, of Sacramento, has been appointed Deputy Cabinet Secretary. Because for every person you bring inside, thats a person who has a sister whos worried about her. We started with a lot of ideas. Opinion: Newsoms budget cuts threaten public health investment Gov. The big takeaway: California is millions of housing units short, and cities hold the key. 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? More than three dozen organizations and individuals, including the American Civil Liberties Union, Disability Rights California and the Western Center on Law and Poverty, signed an April 12 opposition letter raising serious concerns with Assembly Bill 2830, one of two nearly identical measures moving through the Legislature to implement Newsoms Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment Court. Most recently, she served as Director of Scheduling and Advancefor Governor-elect Newsoms Transition and the Newsom for Governor campaign. In response, Fowler agreed that California, like the rest of the country, faces a severe shortage of labor, union or otherwise. But with so many other cost drivers such as skyrocketing lumber prices wages arent the problem. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Newsom has not provided a price tag for how much CARE Court could cost, but it would likely be paid for with a portion of the projected $14 billion he wants to spend on addressing homelessness over the next several years. Through Project Roomkey, we increased the amount of shelter available in California by 50%, effectively overnight. A: Both the Bay Area and Los Angeles have stepped up in incredible ways. Richard Figueroa, 60, of Sacramento,has been appointedDeputy Cabinet Secretary. At the heart of Gov. Jason Elliott, Gov. 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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. 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. 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. So our responsibility now as a state is to continue to put fuel in the tank of this solution. UCLA nurses want end to COVID-era overcrowding in hospital halls and rooms A governors signature does not build new units, he said. Those who would qualify are characterized by experts as the hardest to reach and most difficult to treat, largely because they have a variety of complex needs and are often hesitant to trust government intervention. Title: Senior Counselor to Gov. Title: Senior Counselor to Gov. Newsom, wrapping up his week . 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. Jason Elliott, Gov. A lot of smaller cities are not just making this San Francisco and Oaklands problem. Ive been really encouraged by the warm embrace of local leaders on Homekey. View Jason Elliott's profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. Timing is also a key decision for Newsom. 1. The state must invest in permanent affordable housing options in addition to building interim units such as tiny homes and hotel rooms, she said. The transcript below was edited for brevity and clarity: Marisa Lagos: You step into these huge shoes, and then about six months later Mayor Ed Lee suddenly dies in the middle of the night. Were heading down the same path here, Elliott said. And the type of housing available is just as important as how much of it there is, said L.A. Family Housing President and CEO Stephanie Klasky-Gamer. But he welcomed the proposal as a move in the right direction to prioritize resources for Californias most vulnerable residents, even if the initiative involves growing pains.. Within hours, Lee died -- and Elliot had to step up to help keep the city running. I have sympathy for local leaders in Los Angeles and I have sympathy for the residents of Los Angeles because even sheltering as many people as they did through Project Roomkey, and providing as many new units as they did through Homekey, the order of magnitude of the challenge is so large in LA that it almost feels like you can never make progress. panel discussion hosted by Capitol Weekly, to encourage local governments to end exclusionary zoning, struggled to get tenants and landlords to enroll, $12 billion in the governors budget proposal, largely responsible for ballooning home prices. I will be reviewing the legislation very closely and recommending any amendments necessary to ensure that CARE Courts can truly help those most in need, while not unduly limiting their constitutionally guaranteed rights, he wrote. 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. 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. 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.. 3. 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. Governor Newsom had previously announced Ana J. Matosantos as Cabinet Secretary, Jason Elliott as Chief Deputy Cabinet Secretary for Executive Branch Operations, and Angie Wei as Chief Deputy Cabinet Secretary for Policy Development. 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. Jason Elliott, Gov. No cost estimate for the plan has been released, but Newsom has pledged to spend up to $14 billion on solutions to Californias homelessness crisis over the next several years. Housing | Lagos: London Breed became acting mayor, but she was only in that position for a couple of months before the Board of Supervisors controversially replaced her with interim Mayor Mark Farrell, and then of course London Breed got elected. AB 2830 was originally scheduled to be heard this week by the Assembly Judiciary Committee, but the hearing is now set for next week, similar to plans for its companion measure, Senate Bill 1338. And that can mean big vision things, and it also means the day-to-day of running a city. Californias governor is fast-tracking a plan to compel people into court-ordered treatment, but a lot of details are still in question. In their 14-page letter, the advocates blasted the proposal as involuntary and coercive treatment that would strip individuals of their personal liberties and perpetuate institutional racism and worsen health disparities. They said CARE Court flies in the face of any evidence-based approach to ending homelessness because it prioritizes mental health services not housing as the initial step toward recovery, which they said would deviate from Californias housing first principles. Has it helped us flatten the curve more broadly in California and protect our hospitals from overcrowding? Which is why we need the private sector to do what it does, which is to build housing.. Elliott sat down for an exit interview with KQED politics reporter Marisa Lagos. 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. The program would allow family members, behavioral health providers and first responders to ask civil court judges to order a clinical evaluation and, if necessary, implement a plan for a person in need. Related Articles Its a new day, new paradigm, and we are looking forward to getting something big done.. His grandfather was in the State Department. Yes, it has. 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. 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. If they start listening to us and really take coercive approaches and court-ordered approaches off the table, I think theres more hope that we can work with them on something that we can all support, Imparato said. So what of the slew of housing bills at the state Capitol? The mayor of San Francisco cannot possibly be involved in every decision that gets made across our 60 departments, from the airport to the zoo. A top Newsom adviser weighs in, Opinion: Newsoms budget cuts threaten public health investment, Oakland airport passenger traffic shows steady post-COVID rebound, China dismisses FBI statement that COVID-19 likely leaked from Wuhan lab, Despite new state law, Antioch ends remote option for council meetings, Zoom chops nearly 200 jobs in Bay Area as tech layoffs mount. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $130,008. So theres something about continuity that underpinned how we moved forward through those next few days. Were putting out more homeless housing through this program than we probably do in several years under normal circumstances. Hannah Wiley is a politics reporter for the Los Angeles Times Sacramento bureau covering the California Capitol and state agencies. And in this case, Homekey works. Because people just want to get people inside off the streets, Klasky-Gamer said. SonyaLogman, 30,of Antelope, has been appointedDeputy Cabinet Secretary. 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. Dr. Jonathan Sherin, Los Angeles Countys director of mental health, estimated that CARE Court would target 10% or less of the total homeless population. I believe it is crucial to invest in a free, just and unbiased press, especially in California when all three aspects are in peril. And if the question is has it worked, I think unequivocally the answer is yes. Some were practical and some were impossible. Were coming up with a completely new paradigm, a new approach, a different pathway, and its consistent with our values, Newsom said earlier this month when he announced the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment Court. We start with no. Support for Capitol Weekly is Provided by: Jason Elliot. 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But the bill may face a major hurdle once its heard in the Assembly Judiciary Committee. "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. hbbd```b``Z""H>UD>&jH`AH2::30m\ We dont have a concrete number, but you could assume we produce as a state maybe between 2,000 and 5,000 units of permanent housing in any given year. We believe that a transformational proposal like CARE Court should be thoroughly vetted by stakeholders and informed by research and data before it is adopted. 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. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. As senior counselor to Gov. Put that in context how big a deal is that in a state that for decades has struggled to build enough housing? 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. CalMatters is a nonprofit newsroom and your tax-deductible donations help us keep bringing you and every Californian essential, nonpartisan information. Sign up for our daily newsletter. They say that's because the state doesn't build housing in . And at that point, we were modeling a 56% attack rate for the virus, meaning that we expected 56% of Californians would get coronavirus at some point during the outbreak. Gavin Newsom. Has it helped us flatten the curve more broadly in California and protect our hospitals from overcrowding? 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. You can find our submission guidelines here. More by Manuela Tobias, Jason Elliott, Gov. Want to see more stories like this? Callahan is a Democrat. And then the high risk factor you apply to that population. Jason Elliott, Newsom's top housing and homelessness advisor, said Monday that the administration expected some opposition to the proposal. Callahan previously served as Director of External and International Affairs in the Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. from 2015 to January 2019, where she was Special Advisor to the Executive Secretary from 2013 to 2015. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) California Gov. Jason Elliott with San Francisco Mayor London Breed and Lt. Gov. He hasnt had a day off in months. Has the federal government embraced it and now is providing 100% reimbursement on the costs? Its just not something you ever want to do. Those numbers don't yet account for Los Angeles County, said Jason Elliott, Newsom's deputy chief of staff and top advisor on housing and homelessness. Getting cities and counties to say yes to housing is a long battle in California. No, we shouldnt build there, Elliott said. Elliott acknowledged the state's behavioral health system has . Hebegan his careerat the State Capitolas a legislativeaide to State Senator FranPavley. He also emphasized that just as important as passing new legislation is implementing laws already on the books. Lets start with yes, unless theres a reason not to build.. We need people to enroll. But its the money needed to run CARE Court that concerns local officials. LZe$h#0m1Nx@,Z@XO"F"K"]w8|qWWhh\6^i Katie Talbot, spokesperson for Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood), said the idea would need to go through the policy committee process.. Lawmakers similarly expect answers to these questions before Newsom submits a formal proposal to the Legislature. Sign up below, then look for a confirmation email in your inbox. The panels chairman, Assembly Member Mark Stone (D-Scotts Valley), said in a statement that he shared many of the concerns raised by the opponents about the CARE Court bills.. Is it the only thing we have to do to solve homelessness? I have sympathy for local leaders in Los Angeles and I have sympathy for the residents of Los Angeles because even sheltering as many people as they did through Project Roomkey, and providing as many new units as they did through Homekey, the order of magnitude of the challenge is so large in LA that it almost feels like you can never make progress. And at that point, we were modeling a 56% attack rate for the virus, meaning that we expected 56% of Californians would get coronavirus at some point during the outbreak. Instead, the governor plans to increase . But getting a good read on his thinking can be difficult. State Sen. Susan Eggman, a Stockton Democrat and one of the authors of SB 1338, said she would modify the bill to address certain concerns before then, but on some issues, were just going to have to agree to disagree., It is a work in progress, she said. hb````` Q: How can we continue this momentum post-pandemic? And if the question is has it worked, I think unequivocally the answer is yes. Its not enough to put a noticeable dent in the massive crisis of human suffering on our streets. A:I dont want to leave your readers with the impression that Project Roomkey is going to once and for all solve homelessness in California, because its not. But it takes time to build capacity, said Phebe Bell, behavioral health director for Nevada County and the president of the County Behavioral Health Directors Assn. Q: As a result of Homekey, the state has added more than 6,000 new long-term housing units in less than six months. Jason has 5 jobs listed on their profile. Jason Elliott, 36, of Sacramento, is now serving as senior counselor to the Governor for housing and homelessness in the Office of the Governor, where he has served as chief deputy cabinet secretary. Before that, she worked for Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf on her re-election campaign and managed the successful campaign of Shanell Williams forBoard of Trustees at City College of San Francisco. Housing | A:I dont want to leave your readers with the impression that Project Roomkey is going to once and for all solve homelessness in California, because its not. We want to move, and we want to move quickly, Newsom said during a recent interview on KQED. But the advocates are concerned about more than the courts and housing. We have exploded in bringing more interim housing beds online. authenticate users, apply security measures, and prevent spam and abuse, and, display personalised ads and content based on interest profiles, measure the effectiveness of personalised ads and content, and, develop and improve our products and services. His sister is deputy chief of staff for the mayor of New Orleans and his cousin, who he grew up with, was chief of staff for the mayor of Portland. This is a very small segment of the population. Was it the personality differences? He also emphasized that just as important as passing new legislation is implementing laws already on the books. A: California struggles and has struggled for decades to provide adequate housing for people experiencing homelessness. China dismisses FBI statement that COVID-19 likely leaked from Wuhan lab The Newsom administration says the excess land plan will help offset shelter costs for cities and counties at least, those willing to seek the help. Jason Elliott, Newsom's deputy chief of staff, runs point on homelessness for the governor. Newsom also proposed $1.5 billion in this years budget to boost Californias behavioral health housing stock and has funneled billions more toward housing options for people experiencing homelessness. LA County reports 14 COVID-related deaths, 1,300-plus cases on Friday Clear out encampments, and at the same time connect people with housing and services. Los Angeles, Calmes: Heres what we should do about Marjorie Taylor Greene, David Lindley, guitarist best known for work with Jackson Browne, dies at 78, ICE detainees allege retaliation for speaking about medical conditions at Otay Mesa center, Downtown L.A stabbing sends six to hospital; suspect arrested, San Diego Roman Catholic diocese facing yet another lawsuit from its insurance company, K-Pop isnt the only hot ticket in Koreatown how trot is captivating immigrants, Los Angeles is suddenly awash in waterfalls. g 8 endstream endobj startxref 0 %%EOF 55 0 obj <>stream Newsom calls for spending $12 billion more to end homelessness in California. Assembly Member Matt Haney, who secured money in this year's state budget for the long-sought loo, said he heard from Jason Elliott, Newsom's senior counselor, about the governor's concerns . Has the federal government embraced it and now is providing 100% reimbursement on the costs? Gov. But we can never let ourselves be stopped by feeling like were not making an impact. As a result, the state has announced it will simplify the process toget more money out the door faster. DeBoo joined. The governors new plan to create a court-ordered treatment effort is being sharply criticized by anti-poverty groups and civil libertarians. During apanel discussion hosted by Capitol Weeklyon Wednesday, Jason Elliott, Newsoms top advisor on housing and homelessness, provided a glimpse.