Since taking office in 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom has fallen significantly short of the ambitious housing targets he set for California, amidst rising homelessness and criticism of other policy areas.

Newsom's administration has permitted only 1.1 million homes against an initial goal of 3.5 million homes set at the beginning of his tenure, Breitbart reported.

When Californians elected Gavin Newsom as governor, he promised to tackle the state's severe housing shortage by setting a goal to build 3.5 million new homes by 2025. He set this target to address both affordability and homelessness.

Early Efforts and Adjusted Goals

Early in his tenure, the Newsom administration allocated billions of dollars to house homeless individuals in hotels and motels. This approach was part of a broader strategy to quickly provide shelter to the state's growing homeless population.

However, despite these efforts, only 1.1 million homes have been permitted so far, and not all of these homes have been constructed yet. The rising number of permitted homes has not kept pace with the initial targets.

Recognizing the challenges, Newsom revised his housing goal downward in 2022, during his reelection campaign, aiming for 2.5 million new homes by 2030 instead of the original 3.5 million by 2025.

Increasing Homelessness Amid Housing Shortfalls

Alongside the housing shortfall, homelessness in California has worsened. The homeless population has grown from about 150,000 in 2019 to approximately 180,000 in the last reported year.

This increase has occurred even as the state has tried to provide more housing solutions and support for homeless individuals.

In response to these issues, Tara Gallegos, a spokesperson for the governor’s office, stated, "So far, cities and counties have planned for 1.1 million new homes through their housing plans during Newsom’s tenure."

Criticism of Other Policy Fronts

Newsom's administration has also faced criticism in areas beyond housing. Notably, his policies on fire prevention have been slow to start and have faced scrutiny for exaggerated claims of success.

Furthermore, his ambitious electric vehicle (EV) policy, which includes a proposed ban on gas-powered cars by 2035, is not meeting the necessary sales levels to make a significant impact.

Additionally, despite opposition from Newsom and most Democrats, California voters passed Proposition 36, which restored penalties for shoplifting and has begun to show a deterrent effect.

Looking Forward in Newsom's Tenure

Despite the setbacks, Newsom remains committed to addressing California's housing crisis. His administration continues to work on various fronts to improve the situation, though the path forward is fraught with challenges.

As the 2030 deadline for his revised housing goal approaches, it remains to be seen whether the pace of housing development will accelerate enough to meet the needs of California's population.

The governor has reiterated his commitment to these issues, citing the need for bold solutions to match the scale of California's challenges. As he said in 2017, "I will lead the effort to develop the 3.5 million new housing units we need by 2025 because our solutions must be as bold as the problem is big."