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Accountability is key
to helping homeless

Re: “Agency to confront housing problem” (Page A1, July 12).

There have been many promises to Californians when it comes to launching housing and homelessness programs. Despite billions spent on initiatives to combat this, homelessness has only grown, and housing remains out of reach for too many.

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We’ve already seen encampments, housing delays and finger-pointing. What we need is more affordable units and housing services that meet people where they are. Throwing money at the problem without accountability or compassion won’t work. We want real change, and it starts with political and public pressure.

Ignacio Ramirez
San Jose

Newsom’s new agency
must be transparent

Re: “Agency to confront housing problem” (Page A1, July 12).

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new housing and homelessness agency signals progress towards housing accessibility, but resolution of California’s housing crisis demands more than bureaucratic reshuffling. Increasing housing accessibility requires more transparency and accountability.

Although the state has poured a total $900 million into its Encampment Resolution Funding program, 70% of the project’s funds remain unspent. Meanwhile, the California Interagency Council on Homelessness, the agency in charge of reporting current costs and results of homelessness initiatives in the state, has not studied data after 2021.

California has spent enormous resources to expand the state’s housing supply and lower costs, but pouring money into projects without rigorous oversight or performance metrics undermines genuine progress towards housing accessibility. If Newsom’s agency wants to meaningfully reduce homelessness, it must require regular evaluations and prioritize taxpayer money for programs that deliver meaningful results.

Isabella Bian
Palo Alto

Bill would make state
justice system just

California prides itself on progress, yet our criminal justice system remains rooted in racial and economic injustice. For too long, Black, Brown and low-income communities have borne the brunt of punitive policies; trapped in a cycle of incarceration caused not by crime, but by untreated trauma, poverty and addiction. Harsh sentencing laws and chronic underinvestment in mental health care have shattered families and futures.

SB 38 is a chance to change that. The “Second Chance Program” shifts the focus from punishment to healing, supporting diversion courts and mental health treatment. It’s a practical, community-driven solution that addresses the issue at its root, prioritizing rehabilitation over punishment and never-ending cycles.

In the Bay Area, we see how race and ZIP code shape outcomes. SB 38 confronts those disparities and invests in what works. Let’s pass SB 38 and build a justice system worthy of California’s promise.

Tara Frenkel
Santa Clara

Trump can’t lead
through suing state

Re: “Trump sues California over egg rules” (Page A1, July 11).

Donald Trump seems to file a lawsuit against California every day; today, it is about eggs.

The most ironic of these lawsuits was an adjudicated sexual predator telling California that its program of sexual education was wrong.

How does he ever find the time to actually govern the United States? Answer: He doesn’t.

Ruth Crabtree
San Jose

Community training
has become critical

I find it disastrously ironic that the people of Texas gave their electoral votes to Donald Trump and are now suffering because he gutted federal organizations like the weather service and FEMA. Elect Trump and this is what you get — and it ain’t great. Maybe the fired USAID workers can bring back some packages when they return.

I recently heard the acronym YOYO: “You’re on your own.” It’s a good time to consider CERT training: Community Emergency Response Team. You’ll learn how to prepare for a disaster and how to help when one happens.

Kris Sowolla
Los Gatos

Bipartisan legislation
needed on climate

I’m deeply saddened that the Big Beautiful Bill cut clean energy tax credits at nearly the same time that Texas was ravaged by catastrophic floods. Climate disasters are getting worse, so it’s troubling to see the government taking steps backward. This is always the risk of partisan legislation, like the Inflation Reduction Act, which established the clean energy tax credits initially: When the other party takes power, they can simply undo the progress that was made.

To make true progress, we need to pass bipartisan legislation. This is why I’m thankful to Sen. Alex Padilla, who recently introduced the Fix Our Forests Act, along with a Republican colleague. This bill will address many climate and wildfire issues. It’s not a perfect bill, but compromises must be made to pass long-lasting, bipartisan solutions to the climate crisis.

Nicholas Robinson
Pacifica