California's governor is blaming the Trump administration for withholding data needed to release $650 million in state aid to combat homelessness. California's cities and counties have been waiting since June for the money approved by the state Legislature. But law forbids distribution of the money without a federally approved homelessness count for 2019. Instead of waiting, Gov. Gavin Newsom said his administration will open applications for as much as $500 million of the money.
The California Legislature has already approved $1 billion for efforts to fight homelessness, and the Governor's office says that includes $650 million in emergency aid for those living on the streets.
"The State of California is not going to wait to get Emergency Homelessness Aid working in California cities and counties. Californians shouldn’t have to wait any longer to see this emergency funding deployed," said Newsom in a written statement.
"California is doing more than ever before to tackle the homelessness crisis but every level of government, including the federal government, must step up and put real skin in the game," added Newsom.