California is gearing up to spend billions of dollars from Proposition 1 on behavioral health treatment and housing. But some mental health advocates are raising concerns over whether a particular type of housing — board-and-care facilities — could be overlooked.
Operators who spoke with LAist said they believed when voters approved Prop. 1 in March, that some funding would go toward board and care, which they say is a crucial housing option for people with serious mental illness.
Now, they say they’re hearing from state officials that board-and-care facilities may not be eligible for funding they thought was guaranteed.
“I was literally shocked because we had met previously with the state,” said Bennie Tinson, executive director of the Licensed Adult Residential Care Association. “We were in Sacramento. I think we met with over 30 legislators at one point. We were left with the impression that we would be included.”
State officials told LAist they are still deciding which housing options will be approved for funding under Prop. 1 and will provide that guidance for counties by early next year.
An ongoing crisis
Board-and-care homes — also known as adult residential facilities — offer housing, daily meals and medication management for thousands of Angelenos living with serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia. Low-income residents on supplemental Social Security income pay board-and-care operators around $44 a day to live in these homes.
L.A. County and the state offer some subsidies to the owners if certain conditions are met, for example, if the facility has brought in new residents.
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