By Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P
In order to revitalize and beautify the state's streets and public spaces through litter removal projects, Governor Gavin Newsom in partnership with local governments launched the initiative Clean California, with a budget of US$1.1 billion.
The program Clean California seeks to complement addressing the homelessness crisis, the governor announced Wednesday.
Among other solutions to the problem, which together total a $12 billion investment, is the expansion of "Homekey," a program to increase the number of housing units for the homeless, along with strategies to ensure accountability and transparency in spending.
According to Newsom, Clean California will massively expand state and local litter reduction efforts and generate an estimated 10 to 11 thousand jobs over the next three years, including for people coming off the street, at-risk youth, veterans, those returning to society from incarceration, local artists and students.
"It offers a historic opportunity to transform our streets and roads plagued by decades of trash and hazardous waste, and with more resources than ever to provide safer housing and shelter alternatives. We are delivering on our commitment to move people from unsanitary encampments into safer, more stable housing," he said.
Gavin Newsom, governor of California.
"With potential projects in all 58 counties, this is truly a statewide effort that directly engages and invests in our communities to create public spaces that all Californians can be proud of," he added.
The state program includes potential projects in all 58 counties, and nearly one-third of the funds will be invested directly in cities, counties and transit agencies to clean and improve local streets and public spaces.
Caltrans will award $296 million in matching grants to fund projects that impact local streets and roads, tribal lands, parks, trails and transit centers in underserved, rural and urban communities.
Clean California will remove 1.2 million cubic yards of trash or 21,000 tons of litter from state highways each year, the equivalent of filling the Rose Bowl three times or enough trash bags to stretch from Los Angeles to New York City.
The initiative also includes funds for a public education campaign to foster a sense of shared responsibility to avoid littering, as well as to protect waterways, natural resources, public health and safety.
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