'Crooked and sleazy': Gavin Newsom slammed after reporter confronts him about $24B anti-homelessness drive bringing zero results

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In a dramatic press conference, California Governor Gavin Newsom was confronted by reporter Angela Hart over the state's handling of its staggering homelessness crisis.

The scrutiny comes as California confronts a budget deficit of at least $45 billion, prompting Newsom to propose drastic spending cuts affecting various vulnerable demographics.

Audit exposes lack of oversight in Gavin Newsom's initiatives

A damning report revealed that despite allocating a colossal $24 billion toward homelessness over five years, California failed to track the effectiveness of these funds in addressing the surging homeless population.

When pressed by KFF Health News reporter Hart about the efficacy of his administration's spending and the waning public support for such programs, Newsom initially faltered, citing challenges with local government cooperation. "I'm sorry governor, I didn't hear responses to either of those questions," Hart responded.

Newsom eventually acknowledged the shortcomings highlighted in the audit and said it "did not surprise" him, emphasizing the need for tangible results. "As it relates to the public mood... more is not always better, the public want to see results," he added.

The audit, conducted over the period of 2018-2023, criticized the state's lack of data collection and assessment regarding the impact of its homelessness initiatives.

With homelessness in California soaring by 6 percent last year alone, surpassing 180,000 individuals, the report underscores the urgency of the crisis. Moreover, since 2013, the homeless population in the state has skyrocketed by a staggering 53 percent, highlighting the magnitude of the challenge.

Questions of cost-effectiveness plague Gavin Newsom's drive

State Auditor Grant Parks issued a stern admonition in a letter to Newsom and state lawmakers, noting that the "state must do more to assess the cost-effectiveness of its homelessness programs."

Of the five initiatives scrutinized, only two were deemed "likely cost-effective," while the remaining three, accounting for a substantial $9.4 billion in funding, lacked sufficient data for evaluation. This revelation has fueled concerns of a "homeless industrial complex," wherein public funds are squandered without meaningful progress.

The audit findings have elicited bipartisan criticism, with Democratic State Senator Dave Cortese lamenting a "data desert" and Republican State Senator Roger Niello expressing dismay over the lack of accountability.

"Despite an exorbitant amount of dollars spent, the state's homeless population is not slowing down," Niello said in a statement. "These audit results are a wake-up call for a shift toward solutions that prioritize self-sufficiency and cost-effectiveness."

Despite Newsom's concerted efforts to address homelessness, including advocating for legislation facilitating involuntary treatment for individuals with behavioral health issues and championing voter-approved propositions for housing and drug treatment programs, his administration's mismanagement of funds has drawn widespread condemnation.

Moreover, former President Donald Trump seized on the homelessness crisis as a focal point of his re-election campaign.

In a video, he expressed concern that "hardworking, law-abiding citizens" were being neglected, forced to "suffer for the whims of a deeply unwell few."

He pledged to take action by promising to "ban urban camping" and establish "tent cities" on "inexpensive land" dedicated to homeless individuals. These communities would be staffed with medical professionals and social workers, aiming to provide assistance in addressing systemic issues, the Daily Mail reported.

Internet calls Gavin Newsom 'crooked' after embarrassing presser 

Many on social media blasted Newsom over the squandered billions and lack of tangible outcomes.

"This. Man. Must. NEVER. Become POTUS!!!" one posted on X.

"Whoever runs against him in his next election needs to make this info into a huge neon sign," another wrote.

"Crooked and sleazy," a comment read.

"It’s what he wanted," someone else alleged.

"He can try to gaslight all he wants. Anybody with any sense can see what has happened and continues to happen. Vote them out," another offered.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.