A number of projects funded through Proposition 1 — a $6.4 billion behavioral-health bond voters narrowly approved in March 2024 — have been delayed or abandoned even as state officials promoted the measure as a way to speed up treatment capacity, reports say.
The bond measure was designed to help counties and providers build new mental health treatment beds and homes for people with serious mental illnesses or substance use disorders.
But CalMatters reported that many of the projects expected to open early in the rollout have yet to materialize.
Of the projects — 10 facilities are due to open by 2025 — but have yet to open, the outlet reported, construction timelines have fallen and some developments are still in early stages.
CalMatters reported that many projects are behind schedule as counties work through construction, financing and planning hurdles.
Some of the facilities cited by state leaders as early examples of the program remain under construction or have not yet opened their doors.
The media reported that projects in many countries are now expected to open later than originally estimated.
Government officials say that despite some obstacles, the project is still going ahead.
The state’s Department of Health Care Services said that while some schedules have changed, overall construction remains largely intact.
“While most construction remains on schedule, some individual project timelines have changed slightly due to permitting, site conditions, and construction pressures, including supply chain pressure from President Trump’s tariffs,” the department wrote in an email to CalMatters.
“These projects are moving forward and will provide long-term therapeutic potential for generations.”
Governor Gavin Newsom championed Prop 1 as a key part of his efforts to address California’s homelessness crisis by expanding access to treatment and supportive housing for people struggling with severe mental illness.
The measure both authorized billions of dollars in bonds to build treatment facilities and changed how states must spend special mental health funds, directing more money toward housing and services for people with the most serious conditions.
But CalMatters reported that many of the projects originally outlined by state leaders have either stalled or failed to proceed as planned.
Some developments have seen their expected opening dates well ahead of initial estimates, while others are still under construction.
Voter-approved funding after the projects served as the first significant results of a statewide behavioral-health initiative.
Instead, many facilities remain unfinished as counties and developers continue to work to move projects forward, according to CalMatters.
The slow rollout comes as the state continues its sweeping plan to expand treatment options and housing for people with serious behavioral-health needs.
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