California’s ongoing homelessness crisis has sparked a cycle of blame. Governor Gavin Newsom has increasingly criticized cities and counties for their handling of the issue, earning rebuke from local governments. But the finger-pointing doesn’t stop at the state level — cities and counties are increasingly locked in their own conflicts, squabbling over who bears responsibility and what each should be doing to address the problem.
This strain on city and county relationships was on display in the state of the city address given by San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria this year.
“Mental health and addiction are often at the core of homelessness. And behavioral health, mental health, and treatment for substance use disorders are all services that are supposed to be provided by county government,” said Gloria. “The City of San Diego does not have a Health and Human Services Agency. But the County does.”
“We cannot afford to absorb the impact of their inaction any longer,” he continued. “My fellow San Diegans, it is my hope that, anytime you see a person on the street suffering from extreme mental illness or addiction, you think of the County of San Diego and ask them: When will they step up to provide the services needed to end this crisis?”
The two jurisdictions are currently battling over the fate of a 150-person shelter managed by the city. The county owns the land and provides utilities and behavioral health services.
Another city-county dispute is unfolding in the Central Valley. Turlock has rejected an offer of assistance from Stanislaus County, which was recently awarded $270,000, to help keep the shelter open. Turlock’s mayor says a lack of bathroom access at the shelter during the day is impacting the surrounding area. Businesses near the shelter complain of public urination and other problems.
As CalMatters reports, the growing rift is undermining collaboration between city and county governments. For decades, the City and County of Los Angeles worked jointly to address homelessness through the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). But with mounting questions over its performance, county supervisors have voted to withdraw funding from LAHSA and establish a standalone agency. The move has drawn criticism from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
These conflicts reflect a deeper structural problem in how responsibility for addressing homelessness is divided. They also underscore the frustrating lack of progress in homelessness, despite years of promises and billions spent.