Newsom wants Medi-Cal to pay rent for homeless

By TOM JOYCE THE CENTER SQUARE STAFF REPORTER

(The Center Square) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to use Medi-Cal funding for a new purpose: paying rent. Gov. Newsom has proposed using federal healthcare funds to cover at least six months of rent for homeless California residents and those close to losing their homes.

The governor asked President Joe Biden’s administration to approve a six-month “transitional rent” program under Medi-Cal, according to a report from Kaiser Health News.

California is modeling the program off of similar programs in Oregon and Arizona that have been previously approved by the federal government.

“I’ve been talking to the president,” Gov. Newsom told KHN. “We cannot do this alone.”

Proponents of the proposed program, including Gov. Newsom, argue that it will save taxpayers money since they will

Gov. Gavin

not have to pay as much for these people’s expenses in hospitals, nursing homes and prisons.

Bruce Alexander, a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services spokesperson, did not tell KHN if it plans to approve California’s plan.

Homelessness is a major issue in the state. California had

Please see NEWSOM on

CLEAN-UP

Continued from Page A1 grateful to be there. We had longtime volunteers and some first-time volunteers. There was a lot of camaraderie and cooperation. People were feeling really grateful they could be there wanting to make sure homes and home owners were safe,” said Ms. Renehan.

“We removed enough debris including plastic, corrugated plastic and metal to fill enough to fill an entire Dumpster plus a separate Dumpster of green waste that was on the roadways. We also did general cleanup, cleaning up trash and debris in the community.”

Habitat Santa Barbara said mobile and modular home communities are a critical part of Santa Barbara’s affordable housing stock that must be preserved. The organization has provided repairs in this Carpinteria community for years prior to the 2023 wind event. email: kzehnder@newspress.com

“We want people to know about how we are familiar with this community, our year-round critical home repair program is available to low-income homeowners throughout South County,” said Ms. Renehan.

Fyi

To learn more about Habitat of Humanity for Southern Santa Barbara, go to sbhabitat.org or call 805-6922226.

At left, Hotel Cerro boasts the only rooftop pool in San Luis Obispo. At right, “It’s a beautiful hotel with a cool combination of existing and new architecture,” Andrew Firestone said about Hotel Cerro.

Firestone

Continued from Page A1

Firestone.

StonePark currently owns five hotel projects on the Central Coast representing 365 guest rooms.

After opening their first hotel in 2019 in San Luis Obispo, Mr. Firestone and Ms. Parker have been eager to increase their investment in the area.

“The Hotel Cerro fits into the downtown and the architecture is unassuming. It has a very subtle profile from the lobby,” said Mr. Firestone.

“But inside it is a beautifully designed and decorated interior that is warm and welcoming,” he said. “There is a luxury sense and feel without being overly fancy. The welcoming and warm atmosphere blends with the restaurant and interior courtyard.

“The hotel is a full package

Continued from Page A1

171,000 homeless people last year, according to federal estimates. The state has 30% of the country’s homeless population. Statewide, 5% of Medi-Cal patients account for 44% of the program’s spending. The homeless population contributes to this spending with frequent with a great indoor/outdoor event space. It is a unique design and the architecture makes it unique,” he told the NewsPress. “We are excited to welcome Marriott’s platform to the premier destination of the central coast.”

Fyi

Hotel Cerro is located at 1125 Garden St. in San Luis Obispo. For more information, visit https:// HotelCerro.com, call 805-548-1000 or email info@hotelcerro.com.

expect farmto table menu options. It rotates all the time being able to have a woodfire pizza oven whatever is in season we can incorporate,” said Mr. Firestone.

Hotel Cerro has the only rooftop pool and bar in San Luis Obispo.

Capital, and we feel that Hotel Cerro is an outstanding addition to their growing portfolio.” said Mark Crisci, AZUL Hospitality chief investment officer and principal.

Noted Mr. Firestone, “I think it is a really interesting and unique offering to bring a luxury fullservice property that doesn’t feel stuffy. It feels very, very Central Coast. It blends perfectly with downtown and feels like it is supposed to be there.

WENDY McCAW . . . . . . . . . . . . . Co-Publisher

ARTHUR VON WIESENBERGER . . . . .Co-Publisher

YOLANDA APODACA . . . . . . . . . . . Director of Operations

DAVE MASON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Managing Editor

HOW TO REACH US . . .

MAIN OFFICE 715 Anacapa St. Santa Barbara, 93101..805-564-5200

MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 1359, Santa Barbara 93102

NEWSROOM ADVERTISING

Hotel Cerro includes both a rooftop bar and a full service restaurant and bar. “Brasserie SLO, the full service restaurant and bar, has its own look and feel,” Mr. Firestone explained. “We have a woodfire pizza oven and an open oak grill. This allows us to do interesting menu combinations. We have a lot of toys in the kitchen to offer a variety of farm-to-table offerings.

“We live in wine country and in farm country. Our guests come to emergency room visits, according to a report from the Public Policy Institute of California.

“California emergency departments (EDs) treated about 143,000 people experiencing homelessness in 2019, according to hospital discharge records,” the report reads. “Almost half of homeless patients visited the ED four or more times in the year.” Health insurers generally oppose the idea, according to

“You can go and sit and enjoy unobstructed views of mountains and Central Coast and have food and cocktails poolside. We also have an edible garden on the roof of the second floor,” Mr. Firestone said.

This project represents the third collaboration between StonePark and AZUL Hospitality, whose team will be taking over operations of the hotel, restaurant, and spa.

“We’re so pleased to expand our relationship with StonePark

KHN, arguing that it would not save money.

Dr. Margot Kushel, director of the University of CaliforniaSan Francisco’s Center for Vulnerable, supports the plan. However, she said the state needs more housing stock to make it a reality.

“We can design incredible Medicaid policies to alleviate homelessness and pay for all the necessary supportive services,

“We are excited about this property and our guest enjoying the hotel and everything in SLO,” Mr. Firestone said. “My wife Ivana is really excited about this hotel and the full service spa. It really speaks to her.

“We are thrilled to be the stewards of this property and maximize the potential to invite guests from the state and the world to this luxury hotel and to SLO.” email: kzehnder@newspress.com but without the adequate housing, frankly, it’s not going to work,” Dr. Kushel told KHN.

If the Biden administration approves California’s plan, homeless people could start receiving rental assistance via Medi-Cal by 2025. The program would cost $117 million per year, according to KHN. Thus far, 11,000 people have already enrolled for Medi-Cal housing services.

News Hotline 805-564-5277

Email...dmason@newspress.com

Life 805-564-5277

Sports 805-564-5277

News Fax 805-966-6258

Corrections 805-564-5277

Classified 805-963-4391

Classified Fax 805-966-1421

Retail 805-564-5223

Retail Fax 805-564-5139

Toll Free 1-800-423-8304

Voices/editorial pages ..805-564-5277

COPYRIGHT ©2023

HOW TO GET US . . .

CIRCULATION ISSUES 805-966-7171 refunds@newspress.com newsubscriptions@newspress.com vacationholds@newspress.com cancellations@newspress.com

Mail delivery of the News-Press is available in most of Santa Barbara County. If you do not receive your paper Monday through Saturday, please call our Circulation Department. The Circulation Department is open Monday - Saturday 8 a.m. to noon.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES

Mail delivery in Santa Barbara County: $5.08 per week includes sales tax, daily, and the Weekend edition. Holidays only, $3.85 per week includes sales tax. Single-copy price of 75 cents daily and $2 Weekend edition includes sales tax at vending racks. Tax may be added to copies puchased elsewhere. www.newspress.com