"California's Lack of Homeless Spending Oversight Revealed in Audit"

A state audit reveals that California has failed to effectively monitor the outcomes of its substantial spending on homelessness programs, raising concerns about the worth of the billions of dollars allocated as the unsheltered population continues to rise. The audit found that a state council overseeing homelessness programs has not consistently tracked spending or program outcomes, leading to a lack of crucial data for policymakers. Recommendations include requiring annual reporting of spending plans and outcomes, as well as implementing a "scorecard" to track program success. The audit also revealed that most participants in state programs end up in interim housing rather than permanent housing. Additionally, the audit found that the cities of San José and San Diego have not evaluated the effectiveness of their homelessness programs despite receiving millions in funding.