Marisa Kendall • CalMatters, Author at Times of San Diego

Mental health crisis services

10 projects from Newsom’s mental health bond were supposed to open in 2025. That didn’t happen

by Marisa Kendall • CalMatters March 11, 2026, 9:00 a.m.March 16, 2026, 9:29 a.m.

Projects in the initial round have hit delays, in some cases pushing back opening dates by two years, or been cancelled.

A person in a suit gestures while speaking at a news conference with microphones in front of him.

New California law expands CARE court

by Marisa Kendall • CalMatters Dec. 28, 2025, 4:00 p.m.Dec. 28, 2025, 4:01 p.m.

A homeless tent near the freeway. (Photo by Chris Stone/Times of San Diego)

California’s strategies for the unsheltered show signs of shifting

by Marisa Kendall • CalMatters Nov. 9, 2025, 11:30 a.m.

Person sorting through clothes in a park with playground equipment and trees in the background.

Life

Homelessness is dropping in California, but funding cuts could derail progress

by Marisa Kendall • CalMatters Sept. 24, 2025, 8:15 a.m.

A man stands at a podium with the American and state of California flags behind him

CARE Court is reaching far fewer people than expected

by Marisa Kendall • CalMatters, Jocelyn Wiener • CalMatters and Erica Yee • CalMatters Sept. 4, 2025, 8:43 a.m.Sept. 4, 2025, 9:18 a.m.

Gov. Gavin Newsom at homeless encampment

California cities lack unified response on homeless encampments

by Marisa Kendall • CalMatters Aug. 23, 2025, 8:45 a.m.Sept. 4, 2025, 8:44 a.m.

A homeless tent near the freeway. (Photo by Chris Stone/Times of San Diego)

Crime

Homeless-related arrests, citations soared in these cities after Supreme Court case

by Marisa Kendall • CalMatters June 30, 2025, 8:49 a.m.June 30, 2025, 8:49 a.m.

A man stands at a podium with the American and state of California flags behind him

Newsom wants cities to force homeless Californians to move camp every three days

by Marisa Kendall • CalMatters May 13, 2025, 8:50 a.m.

Urban underpass with homeless encampment featuring tents and belongings.

‘Millions out on the street virtually overnight’: How Trump’s budget proposal could affect California

by Ben Christopher • CalMatters and Marisa Kendall • CalMatters May 5, 2025, 10:23 a.m.May 5, 2025, 10:24 a.m.

Two people conversing; one wearing a "SAN FRANCISCO" hoodie and a face mask, the other holding a folder.

Crime

They Were Arrested for Sleeping Outside While Homeless — Now, These Californians Are Headed to Trial

by Marisa Kendall • CalMatters Feb. 26, 2025, 9:05 a.m.Feb. 26, 2025, 9:16 a.m.

Vista, Other California Cities Widen Efforts to Crack Down on Homeless Encampments

by Marisa Kendall • CalMatters Sept. 14, 2024, 11:30 p.m.Sept. 15, 2024, 7:46 a.m.

Volunteer counting homeless

Six Myths About Homelessness in California: What the Data Shows

by Marisa Kendall • CalMatters July 14, 2024, 11:15 p.m.July 15, 2024, 6:36 a.m.

O Lot safe sleeping site

San Diego’s Homeless Camping Ban Wins High Praise, But Questions Remain Over Statewide Expansion

by Marisa Kendall • CalMatters April 14, 2024, 11:55 p.m.April 15, 2024, 12:56 a.m.

Gov. Gavin Newsom at homeless encampment

Expectations High for Prop. 1, Though it Helps Only the Sickest Among California’s Homeless

by Marisa Kendall • CalMatters Jan. 20, 2024, 11:15 p.m.Jan. 21, 2024, 7:11 a.m.