Californians are very aware of the increase in people living along the roads and waterways. Every level of government and numerous nonprofits have collected enormous revenues, all with good intentions of helping to reduce the growing numbers of unhoused. The reality is that the unhoused population continues to grow. For all the efforts and expenditures, there has been little progress in reducing the numbers. This is because no one talks about addressing the issues that lead to homelessness.
The Khamis Plan on Homelessness:
- Expand Laura’s Law by implementing Gavin Newsom’s CARE Court. This will enable families and or local government temporary conservatorship over individuals that have mental health and severe drug addiction issues for up to 365 days.
- Make family reunification a priority. Family members, especially those out of state, need to be notified that their family member is living on the streets of our county.
- Build rehabilitation and mental health facilities at each of the four county-owned hospitals. County-owned land needs to be utilized to build housing for the mentally ill, including wrap-around services. Funds for this will come from the announced state funding from Gov. Newsom’s CARE plan (One-time $14 million grant and $10 billion annually).
- Work with Sheriff to change the reincarceration system to be a true rehabilitation system by providing reintegration services like skills training, job placement and drug addiction programs in jail rather than wait to provide these services upon release. Use these programs as incentives for early release.
- Create a Homelessness Coordination Manager position. This will allow oversight to the many non-profits who aid the homeless population. It will also help coordinate the many services that assist the homeless such as hospitals, drug rehabilitation, mental health services and reintegration services.
- Implement coordination of emergency medical and emergency psychiatric treatment plans and stop the revolving door.
As your Supervisor, I will:
- Acknowledge and address all the factors that lead to homelessness.
- Address each of these factors in a holistic manner. We cannot continue to throw money in a futile attempt to end homelessness without looking at the root causes.
- Fight to create mental health and drug addiction units in every county-owned hospital.
- Partner with our faith communities to help give shelter and hope to our unhoused.
- Demand accountability and substantial results from government-funded programs.
Johnny Khamis:
- Worked tirelessly to advocate for Laura’s law (a temporary conservatorship program for
the Mentally ill) - Voted for every permanent low-income housing project
- Supported many innovative ways to house our unhoused, including conversion of empty
government-owned buildings into housing. https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2018/08/23/old-sj-city-hall-annex-sparks-debate-homelessness/ - Worked with faith-based organizations to launch overnight parking and provide temporary housing in churches.
- Supported hotel conversion programs
- Delivered rent subsidy assistance programs to prevent homelessness.
Khamis: Beyond housing—addressing factors that impact homelessness
Billion-Dollar Boondoggle: Four Years After Measure A, Santa Clara Co. Has Little to Show for It
