A number of projects funded through Proposition 1 — the $6.4 billion behavioral-health bond voters narrowly approved in March 2024 — have been delayed or abandoned even as state officials promoted the measure as a way to quickly expand treatment capacity, reports say.
The bond measure was designed to help counties and providers build new mental-health treatment beds and housing for people with serious mental illness or substance-use disorders.
But CalMatters reported that many projects expected to open early in the rollout have yet to materialize.
A number of projects funded through Proposition 1 have been delayed or abandoned even as state officials promoted the measure as a way to quickly expand treatment capacity, reports say. Facebook/RitterCenter
Of the projects — 10 of the facilities were supposed to open in 2025 — but have still not opened, the outlet reported, with construction timelines pushed back and some developments still in the early stages.
CalMatters reported that several of the projects have seen timelines pushed back as counties work through construction, financing and planning hurdles.
Some facilities highlighted by state leaders as early examples of the program remain under construction or have yet to open their doors.
The outlet reported that projects across multiple counties are now expected to open later than originally projected.
State officials said the projects are still moving forward despite some setbacks.
The state’s Department of Health Care Services said that while some timelines have shifted, construction overall remains largely on track.
Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks alongside local and state leaders during a press conference announcing new funding for communities across the state to address homelessness and mental health. AP
“While most construction remains on schedule, some individual project timelines have shifted slightly due to permitting, site conditions, and construction pressures, including supply-chain strain from President Trump’s tariffs,” the department wrote in an email to CalMatters.
“These projects are moving forward and will deliver long-term treatment capacity for generations.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom championed Prop. 1 as a key part of his effort to address California’s homelessness crisis by expanding access to treatment and supportive housing for people struggling with severe mental illness.
The measure both authorized billions of dollars in bonds to build treatment facilities and changed how counties must spend certain mental-health funds, directing more money toward housing and services for people with the most serious conditions.
But CalMatters reported that several of the projects originally highlighted by state leaders have either stalled or failed to move forward as planned.
Construction in progress at Ritter Center’s Ritter Builds Hope Integrated Behavioral Health Facility. Facebook/RitterCenter
Some developments have seen their expected opening dates slip well beyond initial projections, while others remain under construction.
The projects were in to serve as some of the first tangible results of statewide behavioral-health initiative after voters approved the funding.
Instead, many of the facilities remain unfinished as counties and developers continue working to move projects forward, according to CalMatters.
The slow rollout comes as the state continues to push its broader plan to expand treatment options and housing for people with serious behavioral-health needs.