What Is Prop 2: Mental Health Housing Measure Explained

LOS ANGELES, CA — Proposition 2 is one of three housing ballot measures before California voters on Nov. 6, reflecting the toll of the Golden State’s housing crisis.

In a nutshell, California lawmakers are looking to sidestep an ongoing court battle that’s holding up a plan to build affordable housing that includes onsite social and mental health services for people with mental illnesses. State officials were looking to borrow $2 billion for the effort and pay it back with revenue from the millionaire’s tax voters approved in 2004, according to CalMatters. However, a lawyer sued the state over the plan and the funds and the project remain in limbo. If voters approve the proposition, state officials wouldn’t need to wait for a court ruling to go forward with the proposal.

Since it’s largely a shell game with existing tax revenue, the measure doesn’t necessarily increase the state budget.

The official ballot summary explains that the “No Place Like Home Program, which finances permanent housing for individuals with mental illness who are homeless or at risk for chronic homelessness, as being consistent with the Mental Health Services Act approved by the electorate.”

The measure’s supporters include both the state Democratic and Republican parties, numerous cities and countless mental health advocates and charitable and housing groups. It is opposed by the Libertarian Party.

“Please vote “No” on the “No Place Like Home Act,” which should have been called the “Bureaucrat and Developer Enrichment Act,” because that is who we feel will most benefit at the expense of those suffering with the most severe mental illnesses,” wrote opponents of the measure in the official ballot argument against it. “If passed, we strongly feel NPLH will cause more homelessness by forcing more mentally ill people into severe symptoms that could increase the numbers living on the streets.”

However, the measure's supporters think it is key to tackling the nexus between homelessness and mental illness.

"YES on Prop. 2 delivers the proven solution to help the most vulnerable people experiencing homelessness in California. Prop. 2 builds housing and keeps mental health services in reach for people—the key to alleviating homelessness complicated by mental illness. More than 134,000 people are languishing on our streets, huddled on sidewalks, sleeping under freeways and along riverbanks. As many as a third of the people living in these unsafe conditions are living with an untreated mental illness," according to the official ballot argument in support of the measure. "Prop. 2 tackles this public health crisis that is straining our neighborhoods, our businesses, our firefighters and emergency supervisors. It renews our sense of community and focuses on helping the lives of the most vulnerable among us."

(Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)