Newsom’s Homelessness Claims Meet Local Skepticism
Governor Gavin Newsom recently hailed a 9% drop in homelessness during his State of the Union address, but many residents in Los Angeles and Santa Monica have found little reason to celebrate.
Frustrated business owners and community members criticized the governor’s claims as being out of touch with the persistent visibility of tent and vehicle encampments. Drug use in public spaces has become an almost everyday experience for them.
Rene Ruston, who runs Shelter Transport Animal Rescue in Sherman Oaks, expressed her discontent, saying, “I feel like I’m being held hostage. Instead of improving, the situation is worsening.” Despite years of promises and spending billions to tackle the issue, she feels that little has changed.
Ruston recounted an incident where a homeless man shattered her store’s window early one morning, stealing donated clothing. She mentioned that such purse-snatching incidents are becoming more frequent.
Others in the area have also raised doubts about the accuracy of the data. Julie Mulligan, a former family lawyer from Santa Monica, questioned, “Since when is 9 percent?” She wondered how much the situation has truly changed since Newsom took office and the significant amount of money that has been spent without noticeable improvement. She described the policy as both a financial and social disaster.
John Are, a property owner near a known drug hotspot, echoed this sentiment. He noted that even if Newsom claims a decline, it overlooks fatalities tied to overdoses and violence.
Reports from RAND, a research organization, indicate that official homelessness counts might significantly underestimate the issue, especially in hard-hit areas of Los Angeles. Their recent findings suggest that volunteer-led surveys miss many of the “rough sleepers,” individuals living without tents or vehicles.
In regions like Hollywood and Skid Row, official data suggested notable decreases in homelessness over the last couple of years, yet community experiences tell a different story. Lawmakers have also voiced concerns, with some reportedly going on strike in reaction to Newsom’s optimistic announcements.
California has invested over $24 billion in homelessness solutions during Newsom’s administration, but projections indicate that by 2024, homelessness could reach record levels, affecting nearly 124,000 individuals. Current statewide totals for 2025 remain undisclosed, as new federal data is awaited.
Democratic politician Monique Limón posed a critical question: “Is it enough?” Santa Monica officials noted that, although numbers may shift, the visible presence of homeless individuals—particularly those without shelter—continues to grow.
Lana Negrete, a former Santa Monica mayor, emphasized the disparities between official statistics and ground realities. She pointed out that while local governments are striving to respond, national policies fail to adequately address safety, treatment, and accountability, allowing drug use and untreated mental illness to persist in public areas.
