San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr., middle, and a sheriff’s deputy speak a person experiencing homelessness during the 2025 point-in-time count. | Photo courtesy of San Bernardino County
Elected officials throughout Southern California on Monday welcomed the latest round of state funding totaling $1.18 billion for more residential and crisis treatment centers statewide.
Grants from Round 2 of Bond Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program will support 66 projects across 130 behavioral health facilities, including in rural and tribal communities, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office.
Counties and cities are expected to gain a total of 6,919 residential treatment beds and 27,561 outpatient slots, which according to the governor’s office exceeds Proposition 1 statewide goals in just two years and supporting 177 projects across 333 facilities. Voters enacted the proposition, a $6.4 billion bond that Newsom supported, in 2024 by a narrow margin of 50.2% to 49.8%.
The new funding round follows the recent announcement of a 9% decrease in unsheltered homelessness statewide, the first such reduction in 15 years.
A recent report by CalMatters found that none of the projects expected in 2025 under Newsom’s mental health ballot measure have opened. Projects in the initial round have hit delays, in some cases pushing back opening dates by two years, or been cancelled.
The state awarded nearly half of Proposition 1 bond funds last spring, kicking off what Newsom called the swiftest distribution of bond funds in state history. Expectations were that 10 of the first 124 projects would complete by the end of 2025.
CalMatters has confirmed that nine of those projects were delayed, with new completion dates ranging from this summer to summer 2028. One project was cancelled.
A number of local officials issued statements welcoming the second infusion of state funding.
Los Angeles County Board Chair Hilda L. Solis: “For years, Los Angeles County has been in the midst of mental health and substance use crises, and I supported Proposition 1 to bring the needed resources to tackle these challenges head on. Thanks to Governor Newsom’s historic investment in behavioral health infrastructure, we are moving closer to providing all Los Angeles County residents the critical services they need. This funding will help expand the County’s capacity to treat individuals with mental health and substance use disorders, many of which are experiencing homelessness, with the dignity they deserve.”
Orange County Board Chair Doug Chaffee: “Orange County appreciates the $17.3 million to Proposition 1 investments to strengthen our behavioral health system and expand care for residents with the greatest needs. The Generations project, in partnership with UC Irvine, will add 61 sub-acute and longer-term treatment beds for patients who require a higher level of care, including individuals under conservatorship. In addition, KC Services will expand access to substance use disorder treatment, primary care, and office-based opioid treatment. These projects will help ensure Orange County residents have greater access to appropriate treatment, and the County will continue working closely with our partners to move these projects forward as quickly as possible.”
Orange County Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento: “Securing this funding is a major step forward for Orange County as we continue expanding access to mental-health and substance-use treatment. With $17.3 million supporting two critical projects, Orange County will add approximately 440 treatment beds, which significantly increases our ability to provide timely care for residents who need it most. By expanding capacity and improving coordination across services, we are building a more responsive behavioral-health system that promotes recovery and supports healthier, safer communities across Orange County.”
San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr.: “Expanding access to substance-use treatment is critical to addressing the behavioral health challenges facing our communities. This $6 million investment in the City of Colton will help add much-needed treatment beds and ensure more residents have access to the care and support they need to recover and rebuild their lives. I appreciate Governor Newsom’s continued commitment to strengthening California’s behavioral health system and investing in solutions that promote healthier and safer communities across San Bernardino County.”
Ventura County Board Chair Jeff Gorell: “Proposition 1 is delivering the treatment and recovery resources communities like Ventura County urgently need. Investments in programs like Nate’s Place expand access to mental health and substance use care and strengthen the local systems that help people in need stabilize, recover, and rebuild their lives.”
Mayor Jessica Ancona, city of El Monte: “This investment in the Foothill Family Service El Monte site is an important step toward expanding access to mental and behavioral health care in our community. Far too many families struggle to find the support they need, and projects like this help ensure services are available close to home. I want to thank Governor Newsom and the State of California for recognizing the need in communities like El Monte and for investing in programs that strengthen the health and well-being of our residents.”
Mayor Tim Sandoval, city of Pomona: “Health Right 360 Pomona provides life-saving services to the city and region. This award of Prop. 1 funds will allow the organization to continue to provide critical and essential health services to the community. Thank you to the voters of California for passing this measure that will help move people off the streets and into treatment.”
Mayor Karen Goh, city of Bakersfield: “California’s mental health and substance use crisis calls for a comprehensive strategy that includes residential behavioral health beds. Round 2, BHCIP funding accelerates the development of essential recovery and treatment facilities in Bakersfield. It expands support for people facing mental health and substance use challenges and builds on the $22.8M awarded to the City of Bakersfield in Round 1 for 65 beds. The additional beds make a meaningful difference for families in Bakersfield and throughout Kern County. I am grateful to the State for supporting and recognizing the urgency of advancing these critical projects.”
Mayor Todd Gloria, City of San Diego: “There are too many people on our streets who are not just unsheltered, they are untreated. That reality is visible in communities across San Diego and California, and it underscores why expanding behavioral health infrastructure is so urgently needed. These investments will help create the facilities and care people in crisis desperately need. I thank the Governor for stepping up with this funding, and I wholeheartedly agree with him when it comes to addressing mental illness and addiction: it’s time for no more excuses.”
Grant recipients from organizations that run the facilities also issued statements.
Brandon Fernandez, CEO of CRI-Help Inc., which received a $41.3 million Proposition 1 grant, said: “This funding award for CRI-Help’s Lincoln Heights Recovery Campus Expansion project for Women with Children addresses a critical community need identified by our frontline staff. Our clinicians have consistently conveyed the ongoing struggle to locate residential substance use disorder treatment beds for mothers with children. Thanks to our Bond BHCIP Round 2: Unmet Needs funding award, we are eliminating a longstanding barrier to accessing care and are prioritizing family unification, ensuring mothers stay close to their children during their recovery process.”
Lorna Little, president and CEO of St. Anne’s Family Services, which received $20 million: “The significant BHCIP funding is critical to fueling our mission at St. Anne’s Family Services,” she said. “It allows us to show up fully for the individuals and families who walk through our doors — not only meeting immediate needs, but walking alongside them toward lasting stability. The Brighter Futures Center will expand access to healing and recovery for individuals and families across Los Angeles. We are deeply grateful to partner with the State of California and remain committed to turning this investment into meaningful, measurable change.”
Helena Lopez, CEO of Greater Hope Foundation for Children Inc., which received $2.86 million: This award is especially meaningful to us because it supports our work in Barstow, a community that is often overlooked when conversations about behavioral health infrastructure take place. Yet the need there is real, and the families we serve deserve the same access to care and support as any other community in California. For many years, our Barstow team has quietly shown up for children and families who needed someone to walk alongside them. This investment helps ensure that those families are not forgotten and that the services available to them continue to grow and strengthen. We are deeply grateful that DHCS recognizes the importance of expanding behavioral health resources into communities like Barstow. It is an honor to partner in this effort to close gaps in care and build stronger systems of support for children and families.”
The state’s website has more information on Proposition 1.