Latest news with #PermanentLocalHousingAllocation

San Francisco Chronicle​

‘Absolute moral failure': Newsom slams California city after $1 dispute forces shelter to fundraise

A homeless shelter in the Central Valley is scrambling to raise funds online after the Turlock City Council voted against a $1 contribution and letter of support that could have unlocked $267,100 in state funding, prompting sharp rebukes from state leaders and drawing national attention to the small city's political divisions over homelessness. We Care, the only homeless shelter in Turlock, had secured funding through California's Permanent Local Housing Allocation program, but the grant required nominal support from the city — a symbolic dollar and a formal endorsement — which the council denied in a 3-2 vote last month. A special meeting that could have reversed the council's decision was not scheduled before last week's deadline to apply for the grant. The shelter, which provides overnight beds and services to 49 men, now faces possible closure by June 30, according to Corey Mai, We Care's director of operations. 'This is not about funding; it is about partnership and mitigating negative impacts for downtown businesses and residents,' said Mayor Amy Bublak in a statement Monday. The mayor, along with Council members Rebecka Monez and Erika Phillips, opposed the measure, citing concerns about the lack of 24-hour restrooms and a downtown cleaning crew. 'As mayor, I have to consider the broader fairness and fiscal responsibility to our entire community,' Bublak said in an email to the Chronicle after the vote. 'Our local residents, businesses, and taxpayers deserve to know that city funds are being spent in a way that benefits the full population, not just select programs.' We Care Program Director Corey Mai said the shelter offered to open existing restrooms inside its facility, but the city declined. 'Not receiving this funding could shut down our shelter,' Mai said, adding that a GoFundMe campaign is now underway to fill the funding gap. As of Friday afternoon, it had raised less than $2,500. She noted that the grant from the state would cover half of We Care's yearly budget. Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has allocated over $24 billion to address homelessness statewide, this week called the city's refusal 'an absolute moral failure' in a social media post. 'Truly a ridiculous lack of local leadership,' Newsom said. 'In Turlock, their only shelter is at risk over a single dollar. The state has done its part. Local leaders need to step up.' Republican State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil defended the city, accusing the governor of overreach.