California is finally taking aim at homelessness. Why now?

Homelessness has been a major problem in California for a long time. So what’s behind the flurry of measures being introduced at the local, county and state levels to address the issue? Zocalo Public Square columnist Joe Mathews says it has little to do with an increase in homelessness itself, or changing conditions for those living on the streets. Instead, he says the push is more about the increased visibility of homelessness in our cities, as the more affluent among us come into closer contact with the problem. And he says that’s a direct result of a housing shortage that’s affecting all Californians. Joe also cites economic anxiety and budget surpluses as contributing factors in the current push to help the homeless.