BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — Governor Gavin Newsom took a new action to tackle the homelessness crisis by expanding access to mental health services for people living with behavioral health needs.

He signed two bills, aiming to transform the healthcare system.

“$2.4 billion dollars just in the next five years, specifically with the signature that I will attach to this piece of legislation, just to net one fundamental component with the mental health services act reform, that’s a big damn deal,” said Newsom.

Senate Bill 326 will help improve the Mental Health Services Act, which is designed to expand and change the state’s behavioral health system, better serving people with mental health issues.

Newsom also signed Assembly Bill 531 which will use $6.38 billion dollars to build over 11,000 new behavioral health beds and housing, as well as more than 26,000 treatment slots, providing increased flexibility for counties to use federal funds.

“We need to be more accountable… more accountable of what’s really going on and notably what’s happening on the streets and sidewalks. All of us see it every single day, and I think those that are more enlightened recognize there’s no compassion stepping over people on the streets and sidewalks,” he said.

Newsom said the issue needs to be addressed differently, and by reforming this Mental Health Services Act– taxes will not see an increase this time, allowing them to invest a billion dollars each year ongoing.

“With the expectation that the counties know that money will be forthcoming, that allows them to build partnership and capacity that focuses on stabilization,” Newsom added.

In Kern County, mental health also takes a toll.

Carlos Baldovinos, Executive Director of the Mission at Kern County, an organization that offers free services such as housing, meals, and laundry services for the homeless community.

“We’re in a crisis mode when it comes to homelessness and mental health,” said Baldovinos.

The mission has multiple people coming in and out that often need help.

They have been in partnership with Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services to open up space, in hopes of using the federal funds to receive new behavioral health beds.

“As an organization, the past couple of weeks we actually opened up a day center on property that we actually have contacted our partners in the community, like behavioral health and other health providers to have a space there at the organization to case manage these individuals that may need help,” Baldovinos added.

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