Why Funders Together to End Homelessness Encourages You to Vote No on Prop 36

Everyone wants to live in a safe community. It’s a vision we can all agree on. Where we part company with the proponents of Proposition 36 is how we increase public safety and reduce crime. Their take: more tax dollars spent on mass incarceration for petty theft and nonviolent drug possession by reversing Proposition 47, which was passed by California voters a decade ago. Our approach focuses on empowering communities through mental health and drug treatment programs, supporting K-12 schools, and aiding crime victims.

How do we know this method works? It already is! Ten years ago, California voters supported Proposition 47, which reduced the penalties for some nonviolent offenses like shoplifting and drug possession by reclassifying these charges from felonies to misdemeanors. The $800 million saved in state prisons costs (with an additional $100 million estimated savings each year) has been invested in programs that prevent crime.

Despite the fearmongering from politicians pushing Proposition 36, the progressive approach Proposition 47 takes does not mean California floods its communities with dangerous criminals. There have been two studies on the impact of Proposition 47 on crime rates. Both found that Proposition 47 did not increase crime rates, and one found no impact on property crime. Overall, crime is down.

That’s not to discount the very real concerns Californians have about crime in their communities. But Proposition 36 cynically exploits people’s fears by offering harmful prison spending ploys. Research has shown that the most cost-effective, common-sense approach to reducing crime is addressing the roots causes.

What does this have to with homelessness?

Proponents of Proposition 36 claim that Proposition 47 has contributed to California’s increase in homelessness. Twenty-eight percent of the country’s homeless population lives in California, but Proposition 47 is not the cause.

Experts in homelessness solutions consistently tell us there are multiple reasons that the unhoused population is increasing. The main cause is the high cost of rent that is driven by a housing shortage, especially housing that is affordable for everyone. Nowhere in the list is Proposition 47 , nor do researchers suggest there is any good to be done by imprisoning people experiencing homelessness. Numerous studies have shown that criminalization doesn’t solve homelessness; rather, it prolongs poverty and traps people into chronic homelessness.

Like you, we’re serious about ending homelessness. We support research-backed solutions that wisely invest taxpayer dollars in programs that work instead of wasting money on a bloated prison system that fails to address the root causes of the public safety issues. That’s why Funders Together to End Homeless is joining the ACLU, Pillars of the Community, and many more in urging its members to Vote No on Proposition 36.