San Francisco's Homeless Treatment Program Shot Down June 9, 2003
News Summary
A California judge invalidated the "Care Not Cash" program in San Francisco, Calif., which reduced cash payments to the city's homeless individuals and substitutes drug treatment and shelter beds, the Associated Press reported May 10.Care Not Cash was approved by voters last fall and was scheduled to take effect July 1. Under the program, the monthly cash allowances to the city's 3,300 homeless residents would be reduced from $396 to about $59. The savings would be used to enhance treatment programs and add shelter space.
Following passage of the ballot initiative, a homeless woman and an advocate for the poor filed a lawsuit against the city. Superior Court Judge Ronald Quidachay ruled in favor of the woman, saying that only the city's Board of Supervisors has the authority to set policy for the state-mandated welfare program.
San Francisco Supervisor Gavin Newsom plans to reintroduce the measure. "I'll expect that my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors, when I introduce Care Not Cash, will do what they said -- consistently -- that the will of the voters must be implemented," Newsom said.
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