Subscribe to CalMatters free daily newsletter to get news and commentary that holds your elected leaders accountable. On the eviction moratorium, Wicks said she was working closely with Assemblymember David Chius office to make sure tenants are protected but landlords receive missed back rent. 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. The Bay Area has pulled together in a very interesting way and focused very much on prevention and stability, which is really good. California has about 30,000 to 35,000 shelter beds on any given night, almost all of which are filled. 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? 2. I think everyone thinks this is the year to really get things done, she said. They cant take whats happening on the streets and sidewalks. %PDF-1.7 % Jason Elliott with San Francisco Mayor London Breed and Lt. Gov. Gov. Instead, the governor plans to increase . Has it helped us flatten the curve more broadly in California and protect our hospitals from overcrowding? Its just not something you ever want to do. 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. As senior counselor to Gov. Lets start with yes, unless theres a reason not to build.. But the advocates are concerned about more than the courts and housing. We start with no. Turning money into beds takes years in my experience, Bell said, adding that there will be this gap period where the $1.5 billion has not translated into thousands of new beds.. 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. Support for Capitol Weekly is Provided by: Jason Elliot. We worked 25 hours a day to design what eventually become Project Roomkey. With a budget surplus bonanza, Gov. contributed to the housing crisis in California and its and we're trying to keep up and make sure that we can keep up with protecting Californians," said Jason Elliott, Newsom's senior adviser. 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. Gavin Newsoms gubernatorial campaign. Housing | Manuela is the housing reporter for CalMatters. SACRAMENTO Newly sworn-in Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the addition ofseveral highly-accomplished public servants toExecutive Branch Operationswithin the Governors Office. Q: Describe what it was like in the governors office when the pandemic hit and you realized we could be dealing with a potentially devastating health crisis for our homeless population? Project Roomkey has sheltered more than 35,000 homeless Californians in hotels and motels throughout the state, giving people over 65 or with medical conditions a safer place to ride out the pandemic. We won't use your email for any other purpose, and you can opt out at any time via an unsubscribe link. Jason Elliott Title: Senior Counselor to Gov. Its a new day, new paradigm, and we are looking forward to getting something big done.. Ive been really encouraged by the warm embrace of local leaders on Homekey. CalMatters is a nonprofit newsroom and your tax-deductible donations help us keep bringing you and every Californian essential, nonpartisan information. Clear out encampments, and at the same time connect people with housing and services. Newsoms approval hobbled by crime fears, homelessness crisis, poll finds, De Len proposes a new city department of mental and public health, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, sheriff says, Look up: The 32 most spectacular ceilings in Los Angeles, Winter storms ease drought conditions in California, report shows, 19 cafes that make L.A. a world-class coffee destination, Newsom, IRS give Californians until October to file tax returns, This fabled orchid breeder loves to chat just not about Trader Joes orchids, Best coffee city in the world? She also served as a legislative assistant in the Office of State Senator Mark Leno, and as acapital fellow in the Office of State Senator Denise MorenoDucheny. Has the federal government embraced it and now is providing 100% reimbursement on the costs? Newsom has proposed pausing that increase for one year, a move that would save drivers about $1.30 per month, according to Transportation California, a nonpartisan business and labor coalition. Newsom calls for spending $12 billion more to end homelessness in California. Concerns about rising crime and the homelessness crisis emerged as the top issues driving voter dissatisfaction with Gov. We are adding judges and attorneys into the mix in hopes of better connecting unhoused individuals with housing and medical care, but nothing else really changes, she said. . Elliott said the almost-certain recall facing Newsom later this year isnt affecting his positions on housing, either, pointing to the governors 2020 State of the State speech, where housing and homelessness took center stage. Find out more about how we use your personal data in our privacy policy and cookie policy. (Liz Hafalia / San Francisco Chronicle) By Liam Dillon Staff Writer Dec. 21, 2020 1:23 PM PT During his 2018 campaign for. A: I will point you to the governors budget proposal: $1.75 billion. Jason Elliott, Gov. Some policy bills face a key deadline next week, but Elliott declined to comment on specific bills, including Senate Bill 9, which would allow homeowners to put a duplex on single-family lots or split them. LA County reports 14 COVID-related deaths, 1,300-plus cases on Friday Hebegan his careerat the State Capitolas a legislativeaide to State Senator FranPavley. Jason Elliott, Newsom's top housing advisor, said it is up to the legislative leaders to determine the mechanism for implementation, but requested urgency to codify the law by July 1. If you do not want us and our partners to use cookies and personal data for these additional purposes, click 'Reject all'. Healso worked for the California Air Resources Board(CARB)onlegislation relating climate. Related Articles 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. Related Articles Sign up for our daily newsletter. And if the question is has it worked, I think unequivocally the answer is yes. Some were really good and some were not so good. For all we knew, this was going to happen in a matter of weeks. A moratorium until the end of time that doesnt provide a sufficient benefit to get people to enroll, Elliott said, trailing off. As a result, the state has announced it will simplify the process to get more money out the door faster. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. 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. A: Both the Bay Area and Los Angeles have stepped up in incredible ways. With a key legislative deadline next week, Newsoms housing adviser speaks about the governors priorities on affordable housing. 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Elliott is leaving City Hall to work for Newsom's gubernatorial campaign. How California used COVID to create housing. Yes, it has. Yes, it has. Mayoral candidate and Councilman Kevin de Len wants the city to withdraw from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. 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. On the eviction moratorium, Wicks said she was working closely with Assemblymember David Chius office to make sure tenants are protected but landlords receive missed back rent. Read More. In high school and for part of college, Elliott dreamed of becoming a journalist. Its not enough to put a noticeable dent in the massive crisis of human suffering on our streets. And its not something you ever picture doing. "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. Emily Swide, 25, of Sacramento, has been appointed Director of Schedulingfor the Governor. Gavin Newsom Age: 37 Born: New York City, but grew up in Palo Alto Current home: Sacramento Family: Lives with his wife and their 15-month-old. But we can never let ourselves be stopped by feeling like were not making an impact. 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. hbbd```b``Z""H>UD>&jH`AH2::30m\ During a panel discussion hosted by Capitol Weekly on Wednesday, Jason Elliott, Newsom's top advisor on housing and homelessness, provided a glimpse. We couldnt control the outcome of the mayoral election, and my advice to staff and department heads was: Dont try to do that. 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. So when you do all that math, youre looking at about 25,000 homeless people losing their lives from coronavirus. To move the needle, Elliott pitched the statewide Housing Accountability Unit, which Newsomproposed in his January budget. 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. We have 108,000 unsheltered homeless people in California. "Before we can reach our stretch goals, before you can reach the moon, you've got to get off the launch pad," said Jason Elliott, Newsom's senior counselor on housing and homelessness. Learn more about how we use cookies in our cookie policy. We believe the answer is yes, and we are in the process now of doing some program evaluation to be able to back that up with data. 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. Elliott was joined on the virtual panel, moderated by CalMatters, by Jennifer Svec, legislative advocate for the California Association of Realtors; Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, a Democrat from the East Bay; and Adam Fowler, research director at Beacon Economics, all of whom agreed that a supply shortage waslargely responsible for ballooning home prices. Honestly sometimes when something is working, you dont tinker with it. 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. Graham Knaus, executive director of the California State Assn. 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. 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. 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. 4. Jason Elliott: So for me, nobody takes a job of chief of staff thinking youre going to be the one who has to call the president of the Board of Supervisors at 1 in the morning. 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. Pasadena to terminate local COVID-19 orders this month Hannah Wiley is a politics reporter for the Los Angeles Times Sacramento bureau covering the California Capitol and state agencies. A, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Bay Area weather: After thunderstorms and hail, snow could be on the way this weekend, How California used COVID to create housing. 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. Gavin Newsom joins a cleanup effort last May in Los Angeles. The CARE Court proposal promises behavioral health treatment, medication and a housing plan as tools to stabilize participants who struggle with addiction and untreated psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, for up to two years. Yes, it has. Between working on the states pandemic response seven days a week and raising a baby, theres very little time to do anything else. Secretly, he still does. And in this case, Homekey works. Newsom included $3 billion in the budget last year to increase behavioral health housing by 22,000 treatment beds, and proposed another $1.5 billion this year to bump that number up to 33,000. Has the federal government embraced it and now is providing 100% reimbursement on the costs? Jason Elliott is a Senior Counselor On Housing at Newsom based in Washington, D.C., District of Columbia. Hes the grandson of a Holocaust survivor. Gavin Newsom Age: 37 Born: New York City, but grew up in Palo Alto Current home: Sacramento Family: Lives with his wife and their 15-month-old. Tell me about that transition and sort of what your role has been. In LA they proposed more Homekey projects than we were able to fund. Elliott spoke with this news organization about those programs, how they started, and where we go from here. Elliott is leaving City Hall to work for Newsom's gubernatorial campaign. 2. Housing | In LA they proposed more Homekey projects than we were able to fund. Many affordable housing developers argue there just isnt the available workforce so that mandate would only increase the cost of construction. YL 8u8JpC Im not going to take anybodys vote for granted, but I think with my caucus, and I think this is a bipartisan issue, everybody agrees that we need more tools in the toolbox in order to reach those who so desperately need our help.. 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.