Proposition 1 would sell infrastructure bonds worth $6.4 billion to house and help Californians who need mental health care and substance abuse treatment. But the biggest number in this 105-page proposed law, which voters will consider on the March 5 primary ballot, actually appears on page 78. There, its authors make a major shift in policy, stating that '30 percent of funds distributed to the counties ... shall be used for housing interventions programs.
'In the current budget year, we anticipate using the MHSA funds that we receive to draw down another $130 million to $140 million in federal participation revenue.' Does this mean the behavioral health director sees doom if Prop. 1 passes? No, not really, but there is some uncertainty. It's just hard to predict exactly what effect a significant increase in housing for those suffering from mental illness and substance abuse would have on the overall need for treatment.