SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Stephen Love said he has been homeless in Sacramento for eight years, and that you do what you must, to get by, even if it means putting a plastic container on an open fire to create hot water.

“This is the quickest way to heat water out here,” Love said.

What You Need To Know

  • The state auditor said California allocated nearly $24 billion for homelessness and housing during the last five fiscal years
  • This huge amount and the rising number of people becoming homeless prompted an audit of the state’s spending
  • The state auditor released a report which found there is a severe lack of accountability and tracking on whether the money spent by the state is working overall
  • The issue of tracking homeless spending in California has also been highlighted by a federal judge overseeing a case against the city of LA, which will see an audit of the city’s homelessness assistance programs

Love explained how he’s tried to get permanent housing, but it’s been difficult.

“Meeting the appointments and not having to transportation,” Love said. “And then not being able to really keep anything, because as soon as you take your eyes off of it is gone.”

Love said he’s had phones stolen from him which has added to his difficulty communicating to those who could help with housing.

The state auditor said California allocated nearly $24 billion for homelessness and housing during the last five fiscal years.

This huge amount and the rising number of people becoming homeless prompted an audit of the state’s spending.

The state auditor released a report which found there is a severe lack of accountability and tracking on whether the money spent by the state is working overall.

Love said most people around him feel they have little hope of finding housing.

“Every blue moon you will see one person get accepted into a [housing] program, every blue moon,” he said.

The issue of tracking homeless spending in California has also been highlighted by a federal judge overseeing a case against the city of LA, which will see an audit of the city’s homelessness assistance programs, including Mayor Karen Bass’ Inside Safe Program.

It's an audit Bass said she welcomes.

“We need to put new measures in place,” Bass said. “There needs to be they need to be outcome based. There needs to be goals and milestones and metrics. The system was not designed that way. I noticed that after the first couple of months, and I’ve been very, very concerned about it myself.”

The mayor added she thinks the audit will provide pivotal recommendations.

Love said he hopes policy makers at all levels across the state do more to make sure homeless spending is helping, because homeless people are dying.

“My friend Dre, they found him frozen under the bridge last year,” Love said. “A real good friend of mine is gone. It’s heartbreaking.”

It's something Love said will continue to happen if more isn’t done to help.