Prop 47’s Hidden Toll on Homelessness | San Diego News

A new report from the Public Policy Institute of California reveals a surprising twist: Proposition 47, which softened penalties for nonviolent crimes, may have unintentionally fueled California’s homelessness crisis. The study links reduced felony charges to more people sleeping on the streets, higher overdose rates, and fewer individuals accessing drug treatment. This comes as voters recently passed Proposition 36 to reinstate tougher penalties — though without funding for housing or treatment. The debate intensifies, with some blaming addiction and others pointing to soaring housing costs. Evidence shows that counties investing in permanent housing saw the biggest drops in homelessness — especially post-pandemic — suggesting housing is key. Researchers caution against singling out Prop 47, noting other factors like shrinking Social Security benefits also play a role, while acknowledging jails once served as de facto shelters for vulnerable populations. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/d36f24c6eac3e57c