Governor Gavin Newsom this week announced a unique new approach as part of his mounting efforts to reign in California's homeless crisis. He wants to tap funding from Medicaid to cover a program called, "transitional rent," that would house people with behavioral health issues for 6 months.

Federal Medicaid money is typically barred from use by states to pay rent, but Newsom says he's talking to President Biden to get him on board with this comprehensive plan which includes a 2024 ballot measure asking voters to approve up to $5 Billion to provide supportive housing for the homeless or others at risk for losing their housing.

To discuss further, KCBS Radio news anchors Patti Reising and Bret Burkhart spoke with Angela Hart, Senior Correspondent for Kaiser Health News.