Newsom Launches $1.1B Initiative for CA Beautification

Gov. Gavin Newsom launched a $1.1 billion initiative in partnership with local governments to revitalize California’s streets and public spaces through litter abatement and local beautification projects. The initiative was kicked off at a Clean California project in Richmond.

Clean California complements the governor’s multi-pronged approach to tackling the homelessness crisis. Newsom is proposing a $12 billion investment in solutions including the expansion of Homekey – the largest increase in recent history for homelessness housing – paired with strategies to ensure spending accountability.

“Clean California offers a historic opportunity to transform our streets and highways that have been blighted with litter and hazardous waste for decades, and with more resources than ever before to provide safer housing and shelter alternatives, we’re following through on our commitment to get people out of unhealthy encampments and into safer more stable housing,” said Newsom. “This program will create thousands of jobs to support people exiting homelessness, at-risk youth, formerly incarcerated individuals and others getting back on their feet. With potential projects in all 58 counties, this is truly a statewide effort.”

A Richmond site, which Caltrans has cleaned and maintained, is one of several projects already benefitting local communities through expanded litter pick-up and sustainable landscaping along the state highway system.