California Gov. Newsom announced California Blueprint Funding for homelessness.

Father Joe’s Villages has its reaction about the Blueprint.

Father Joe’s Villages Remarks on California Blueprint Funding

Last January 13, Deacon Jim Vargas, President, and CEO of Father Joe’s Villages, joined KUSI’s Good Evening San Diego and gave some of their reactions regarding Gov. Newsom’s California Blueprint Funding for the homeless. 

He talked with KUSI’s Logan Byrnes and shared their thoughts regarding the Blueprint. As stated in the interview, Deacon Vargas thinks that the primary focus of Gov. Newsom in addressing homelessness is right on. 

According to Deacon Vargas, the focus of Gov. Newsom’s plan is what has been the priority of Father Joe’s Villages for a long time. He also told Byrnes that when they walk on the streets, they will see many people experiencing behavioral health challenges, whether mental health or substitute disorder. 

These people need help, and many of them cannot help themselves. As a result, San Diego needs to develop a shelter system that can accommodate these individuals, accept them, and start working with them – providing the right resources they need. 

These will help them with their situations and keep them off the streets. He further stated that the latter is a critical component, as he heard it from the governor and the mayor as he reported about the state of the city. 

Byrnes requested the deacon to give a sample of a success story of a homeless individual – one who turned from living in the streets and becoming an active member of their community. 

According to the deacon, such transition is indeed a long process. It does not happen overnight. He emphasized that they must first earn trust from homeless individuals. 

Their experiences made them hesitant about shelters. They build a relationship, earn that trust back, and turn them into Father Joe’s Villages. 

Deacon emphasized a shelter bed is not a home. Most definitely, it is necessary. They work with these people and apply their resources. However, at the end of the day, these people need homes. 

That’s the portion of what the mayor and governor are addressing, having the resources available to build more affordable housing. It’s time to know that shelters like Father Joe’s Villages do not have the resources to build homes quickly. 

According to the deacon, it took them five years to complete the recent housing project they have. Help from politicians is needed to streamline the whole process. As they do that, they also invest in the cost.

Gov. Newsom’s California Blueprint Funding – Homelessness 

Last January 10, Gov. Newsom released the California Blueprint to take on the State’s Greatest Existential Threats and Build on Historic Progress. His Blueprint tackles California’s ongoing response to COVID 19 pandemic, homelessness, inequality, making the streets safe, and inequality. 

This Blueprint suggests billions more in support of California’s response to the pandemic and nation-leading efforts against climate change – including wildfires and drought, discuss persistent inequality, homelessness, and street safety for everyone.

The governor's plan adds $2 billion for mental health housing, services, and clearing encampments.

 

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