Marxists Suck at Competent Leadership on Homelessness: The Fiscal Fiasco on California’s Streets

As a political centrist, my concern lies not in ideological extremes, but in pragmatic governance and the responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. The escalating crisis of homelessness in California is not just a humanitarian tragedy; it has become a dangerous blight on our communities, impacting public safety, sanitation, and the overall quality of life for all residents. What is particularly infuriating is the apparent inability of our state leadership to effectively utilize the vast sums of money allocated to address this issue. With prices remaining high for necessities like gasoline, electricity, food, and housing, and consumer credit card debt reaching alarming levels, the relatively recent revelation that California cannot fully account for nearly $24 billion spent on homelessness is particularly shocking. It is not simply an accounting error but a damning indictment of incompetence and a profound betrayal of the public trust. For years, Californians have witnessed the growth of encampments, the rise in both petty and more violent crimes and drug use associated with untreated homelessness, and a palpable sense of insecurity in our public spaces. We, the taxpayers, have consistently supported efforts to alleviate this suffering, with the understanding that our contributions would translate into tangible solutions. Yet, the staggering figure of $24 billion spent with questionable accountability raises a fundamental question: where did the money go, and what tangible progress, backed by data, has it actually yielded? Growing up in Southern California with KROQ as my ever-present soundtrack of 80s alternative music, I, like many Gen X’ers who were impacted by the 1986 Comic Relief concert for the homeless, was always inclined to support measures like propositions and tax increases to aid this cause. Yet, nearly 40 years have passed, and despite paying significantly more now, I’ve observed not just stagnation on the homelessness issue, but a disheartening regression. The lack of a unified, effective strategy is glaring. Responsibility for addressing homelessness is scattered across numerous state agencies, local governments, and non-profit organizations, creating a bureaucratic labyrinth where funds can disappear into a black hole of fragmented systems and inconsistent data collection. The absence of standardized reporting and outcome measurement has allowed for a situation where billions can be spent without a clear understanding of what works, what doesn’t, and whether taxpayer money is actually making a difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness or the safety of our communities. The excuses offered — the complexity of the issue, the lack of affordable housing, the challenges of mental health and substance abuse — while partially valid, do not absolve state leadership of their responsibility to ensure fiscal accountability. Competent governance demands the establishment of robust tracking mechanisms, transparent reporting requirements, and rigorous oversight to guarantee that public funds are used efficiently and effectively. The fact that audits reveal “poor data quality and integration” at the local level, coupled with concerns about insufficient financial controls, paints a picture of systemic failure in managing a crisis of this magnitude. Having recently earned a humble Google Data Analytics Certificate, I’ve gained a new insight as to the significance of reliable and clean data and this has made the apparent lack of reliable and clean data for the state of California particularly concerning. As W. Edwards Deming famously said, “In God we trust, all others must bring data,” emphasizing the primacy of evidence over ideology. Given the modern value placed on data, often described as “the new oil,” why isn’t California run with more business-like precision, focusing on stated objectives and data-driven solutions, instead of what many see as a failing progressive experiment? While I respect the right to hold leftist progressive ideals, a state governed by unchecked ideology, devoid of centrist or conservative counterbalances, and relying on substandard data is not progressive; it’s unacceptable! This same style of ideological governance hindered effective wildfire response during intense windstorms in January of 2025. Speaking of incompetent California governance, ideological hires, and its struggles to meet the challenge of devastating wind-fed wildfires in Southern California, the data emerging from Los Angeles County regarding the connection between homelessness and fire incidents is deeply concerning and demands serious attention. The data indicates a significant problem: one report from early 2025 suggests that 54% of all fires in Los Angeles during 2023 were linked to homeless encampments. Alarmingly, another report from May of last year cited nearly 17,000 fires in the city of Los Angeles alone attributed to homeless individuals in 2024. Even earlier, in Downtown LA in 2021, a report claimed a staggering 80% of recent blazes were connected to these encampments. These figures, while specific to Los Angeles County, paint a disturbing picture of a clear and present danger that requires pragmatic solutions. We need an approach that balances both public safety and a humane, common-sense strategy for the homelessness crisis, one that prioritizes progressive and cutting-edge business-like precision over utopian, ideologically driven hires making haphazard decisions. Despite its limitations, the data undeniably shows the people of California a miserable failure on the part of those responsible for their safety. This is not about demonizing those experiencing homelessness; it is about demanding responsible governance. The dangerous conditions on our streets are a direct consequence of the state’s inability to implement coherent and effective solutions. While data on perpetration remains limited (of course it does…why wouldn’t crime data be more detailed and reliable?), some information sheds light on the broader involvement of homeless individuals in the criminal justice system. Los Angeles Police Department data from 2018 to 2021 indicated that, despite representing a small fraction of the overall population (around 1%), homeless individuals were suspects in a disproportionately higher percentage of all crimes (6–8%) and violent crimes (11–15%). Similarly, a 2022 report from the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office noted a significantly higher likelihood of arrest and felony charges among the homeless population. However, it is crucial to interpret this data with caution. These figures do not delineate the specific types of crimes committed, nor do they distinguish between acts of survival, responses to victimization, or other factors that might contribute to their involvement in the criminal justice system. Critically, these statistics also include instances where homeless individuals are the victims of crimes, blurring the lines between perpetrator and victim. However, what the data and evidence does show us is that California’s current governing philosophy is making the state less safe. These ideologically driven hires and policies are getting men, women, and children assaulted, these ideologically driven hires and policies are getting men, women, and children sexually assaulted, these ideologically driven hires and policies are getting men, women, and children maimed, these ideologically driven hires and policies are getting men, women, and children killed, these ideologically driven hires and policies are getting men, women, and children burned out of their homes. This is a data-driven opinion based upon the facts. We cannot continue to throw money at the problem without a clear understanding of its impact. The lack of accountability breeds cynicism and erodes public support for future efforts, potentially hindering progress even further. As a centrist, I believe compassion and comprehensive solutions addressing the root causes of homelessness are essential. However, I’m increasingly frustrated with the constant reliance on excuses like the lack of affordable housing, mental health services, and addiction treatment. It’s akin to solely blaming the January 2025 wildfires on climate change. While acknowledging climate change’s potential to exacerbate wildfires, a pragmatic approach demands proactive planning and strategic investment. This means adequately funding our fire departments and ensuring the readiness of existing equipment, rather than pursuing utopian ideals that could compromise public safety. It also necessitates building the reservoirs voters approved in 2016 to enhance water availability and addressing critical infrastructure failures like inadequate fire hydrant pressure. California’s leadership needs to prioritize building a robust fire-fighting capability for the current environment, rather than fixating solely on long-term climate goals. The significant environmental destruction resulting from the January 2025 wildfires due to governmental failings presents a stark data-driven irony. However, compassion without competence is ultimately futile. We need state leadership that prioritizes pragmatic strategies, data-driven decision-making, and stringent financial oversight. The $24 billion question mark hanging over California’s homelessness spending is a stark reminder that good intentions are not enough. Taxpayers deserve to know how their money is being used, and more importantly, they “damn-well” deserve to see tangible results in the form of safer communities and a meaningful reduction in homelessness. The time for excuses is over. California needs a fundamental shift in its approach to this crisis, demanding accountability, transparency, and a laser focus on effective solutions. The fiscal fiasco surrounding homelessness spending is a dangerous symptom of a larger leadership failure, one that must be addressed with urgency and a commitment to responsible governance. Our communities, and the individuals struggling on our streets, deserve nothing less. Hello, and thanks for listening to my podcast For years, my mission has been to foster a community around engagement, unique takes on interesting stories, and conversation. If you value what I do, please consider supporting me. I've started a GoFundMe to cover my production and operational costs, including those pesky social media fees. If you can’t contribute to my GoFundMe, I get it, but you can help me by subscribing to my account or sharing this particular story with friends and family that you think would appreciate it. 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