The mental health projects funded by Proposition 1 have been delayed and some have been cancelled in early 2026, which is putting a strain on the communities that were promised new treatment beds and services. Prop. 1 was promoted as a significant investment in mental health projects for foster youth, new mothers, unhoused, and many other people with complex needs.
Some of these local projects have slumped in mid-project due to various issues, such as permitting and neighbor backlash, and increasing construction costs. Even larger has been the slightly-over $1.18 billion from Governor Newsom for mental health projects. This project is anticipated to produce nearly 6,919 residential treatment beds and over 27,500 outpatient treatment slots. Thus, on paper, it will create many thousands of new places for people to sleep, detox, or see a clinical case worker on a regular basis.
Advocates and families state that delay in launching mental health projects has serious effects on the ground. People are waiting on lists to get treatment, hospitals are boarding psychiatric patients in EDs (Emergency Departments), and encampments are continuing to grow in areas that would have been helped if something was going to happen. Local officials face a balancing act; they know there is an urgent need for mental health projects to succeed, but they face pressure from residents who have concerns about their safety, zoning, and property values.
Proponents argue that mental health projects represent a long overdue change away from using jails and sidewalks as informal treatment systems. They agree that while it is frustrating to experience delays, these delays can be resolved, and that if we abandon mental health projects now we will create a deeper crisis. The ability to measure whether Prop. 1 will be successful will not only include how much money was spent, but also if vulnerable Californians received the treatment that they were promised in terms of spaces in beds, clinics, and programs.
Source: CalMatters – California’s first Prop. 1 mental health projects delayed, cancelled
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