Riverside County’s aggressive and coordinated response to homelessness received statewide recognition last week when California Governor Gavin Newsom highlighted the region as a model for effective action during the annual State of the State address.

In remarks centered on housing, public safety, and long‑term economic stability, the governor praised Riverside County’s progress, noting, “Early data, just compiled, shows that the number of unsheltered homeless people in California dropped 9% in 2025. We have not seen a drop like this in a decade and a half in California. Los Angeles, down 10.3%; Riverside, down 19%; Contra Costa County, down 34.8%. And I’ll remind you that last year, the nation saw an 18.1% overall increase in homelessness. Our investments are paying off.”

The governor’s acknowledgment underscored the county’s achievements, emphasizing that Riverside County’s model demonstrates how local governments can make substantial progress even amid the broader challenges facing the state and the nation.