Prop. 1 passes by narrow margin, Gov. Gavin Newsom calls it ‘a huge victory’ for California

Proposition 1, the ballot measure supported by Gov. Gavin Newsom that he says will be a “radically different” approach to tackling California’s homelessness crisis, passed on Wednesday evening, according to the Associated Press.

The measure passed by a narrow margin, with 50.2% of Californians voting in support, and 49.8% voting against.

Prop. 1 will restructure California’s Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) and channel billions of dollars to mental health and addiction treatment facilities, particularly for those who are in crisis or experiencing chronic homelessness. It includes a $6.4 billion bond to fund such facilities, as well as veteran housing.

Critics of the measure, such as supervisory boards in conservative counties across the state, say the measure defunds local services that counties are already providing to go toward funding a one-size fits all approach, and focuses too much on the most extreme cases. Disability rights advocates and some mental health groups also said that the “Treatment not Tents” approach may subject people with mental health issues into to involuntary detentions.

But support for the measure came from powerful state players and unions, including SEIU California and the California Hospital Association. The Yes on 1 campaign raised more than $14 million, while the opposing campaign raised just $1,000.

Newsom celebrated the win Wednesday evening on X, formerly known as Twitter, calling it a “huge victory.”

Earlier Tuesday afternoon, the governor reached a deal with lawmakers to take early action with the state’s budget in order to curb the state’s projected $73 billion deficit.