FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 19, 2020

Contact: Mike Roth, 916-444-7170

COUNTY WELFARE DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR NEWSOM’S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS 

Sacramento, CA – The County Welfare Directors Association (CWDA) released the following statement today from Executive Director Frank Mecca on Governor Newsom’s 2020 State of the State address:

“CWDA applauds the leadership that Governor Newsom has shown in responding in a broad, bold way to the scourge of homelessness in our state. We support and appreciate the challenge that the Governor laid out for the state, counties and cities today in his State of the State address. As he said, homelessness is not going to be solved at one level or one community at a time, but commands an urgent, joint response statewide that matches the urgency of this issue that affects every corner of the state.

“County social services agencies see homeless persons on the street, just as everyone does. We also see homeless individuals and families, and those at imminent risk of becoming homeless, in our offices every day as we work to serve them through an array of programs. 

“We urge the Governor and Legislature to prioritize investments that will leverage counties’ existing connections to vulnerable Californians in order to expand prevention and increase our ability to rehouse our clients, especially seniors, who are the fastest-growing segment of California’s homeless population. Homeless elders typically have lost their housing for economic reasons that, if services were brought to bear early on, could more likely be avoided or quickly ameliorated.

“We stand ready to work with the Governor and Legislature to develop and implement significant responses to the homelessness and housing crisis our state faces.”

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