In recent years, despite billions in funding, the homelessness crisis in California has only worsened. Democratic candidates have been hesitant to critique Newsom, who has yet to make an endorsement in the race. Some Democrats, like Katie Porter and Tom Steyer, have given Newsom a “B” grade for his efforts in addressing the issue, while others, like former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, have praised Newsom’s efforts and given him an “A” for his work.

On the other hand, Republican candidates, such as Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco, have criticized Newsom’s handling of the crisis, calling it an “F” and an “absolute dismal failure,” respectively. Despite California spending roughly $20 billion on homeless initiatives from 2019 to 2025, the number of homeless individuals in the state has continued to rise.

The upcoming gubernatorial primary on June 2 in California will determine the top two candidates who will advance to the general election on Nov. 3. With the homelessness crisis being a key issue in the race, both Democrats and Republicans are vying to address the problem and gain support from voters.

Advocates for change suggest that more needs to be done to address the root causes of homelessness, such as drug and alcohol abuse and mental illness. Critics argue that simply throwing money at the issue is not the solution and that a comprehensive approach is needed to effectively combat homelessness in California.

Overall, the differing grades given to Newsom by Democrats and Republicans highlight the complexity of the homelessness crisis in California and the challenges faced in finding effective solutions to this pressing issue. California Governor Gavin Newsom has received mixed reviews from Democrats and Republicans on his handling of the homelessness crisis in the state.

According to a recent report, Democrats have given Newsom a grade of B on his efforts to address homelessness, while Republicans have given him a failing grade. The divide in opinion reflects the ongoing debate over how best to tackle the issue of homelessness in California.

Democrats who support Newsom point to his efforts to increase funding for affordable housing and homeless services, as well as his implementation of programs to help homeless individuals find stable housing. They also praise his creation of a “poop map” to track and clean up human waste on the streets.

On the other hand, Republicans argue that Newsom has not done enough to address the root causes of homelessness, such as mental health and substance abuse issues. They criticize his decision to cut funding for programs that assist homeless individuals and his failure to effectively address the growing crisis.

Despite the differing opinions, Newsom remains a polarizing figure in California politics, with both sides eager to secure his endorsement in the upcoming election. As the homelessness crisis continues to worsen in the state, it remains to be seen how Newsom’s handling of the issue will impact his chances for reelection.