California has launched a new online accountability tool that brings together thousands of locally reported data points to provide a more accurate picture of how local communities are tackling some of California’s most pressing issues – including homelessness, housing, and behavioral health.
“No one in our nation should be without a place to call home. As we continue to support our communities in addressing homelessness, we expect fast results, not excuses,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom. “While we are pleased by the progress many communities have made to address the homelessness crisis, there is more work to do.”
Gov. Newsom said the new tool will help hold local governments accountable if they fail to make progress in addressing homelessness. In addition to allowing Californians to quickly and clearly assess the progress being made by their local governments, the new tool also enables residents to learn more about the funding provided to communities by the state.
The tool – accountability.ca.gov – comes alongside new Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) funding to support local homelessness efforts, which is tied to performance benchmarks and the ability for the state to withhold funding allocations if local communities do not make progress.
According to the governor’s office, communities that receive awards through the newest round of HHAP funding must adhere to increased accountability, transparency, and compliance measures. These include an increased focus on resolving encampments, requirements that recipients have a compliant housing element to obtain future funding, and requirements that grantees obligate and expend past awards before receiving new funds.
The governor’s office said that these strengthened measures will better ensure real, measurable results and will improve the tracking of data and outcomes.
