[Stanlislaus County] Watchdog wants more accountability in Modesto-area efforts to reduce homelessness

While commending the efforts of government and others in Stanislaus County to take on the complex and challenging problem of homelessness, a government watchdog says despite spending huge amounts of money, homelessness continues to grow.

The Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury also reports that it is hard to evaluate the coordination, effectiveness and accountability of these efforts because they are fragmented and there is not enough accountability in how effectively the money is being spent.

The grand jury’s investigation of the efforts to reduce homelessness are detailed in its 2021-22 report.

“The (grand jury) found that while efforts to coordinate all these agencies and their activities are being pursued, accountability is lacking,” according to the report. “Given the significant dollars spent to address homelessness, this lack of accountability is problematic and can undermine the public’s confidence in our public agencies.”

(The California Constitution requires counties to form civil grand juries annually. The juries are made up of 19 citizens and investigate how well the county, cities, school districts and other local governments perform. This grand jury’s term ended June 30.)

Read more at: https://www.modbee.com/news/local/article264159106.html#storylink=cpy

The Modesto Bee
Kevin Valine
August 8, 2022