A new study claims to have found the first direct evidence linking California’s Proposition 47—a ballot measure that reduced penalties for certain drug possession and petty theft offenses—to an increase in homelessness. The findings suggest that the policy shift may have contributed to rising shelter and street populations by altering how low-level offenses are handled. Researchers emphasize that the connection highlights broader debates over criminal justice reform and its unintended social consequences. The study could reshape discussions about balancing public safety with decriminalization efforts.
Researchers say their work is the first to establish a direct connection between Prop. 47 and homelessness.
