Welcome to the "Stupid Questions" thread! Feel free to ask any questions, regardless of whether they seem obvious, tangential, silly, or what-have-you. Don't be shy - everyone has gaps in their knowledge, and the goal here is to help reduce them.
Please remember to be respectful when someone admits ignorance and don't mock them for it. They are doing a noble thing by seeking knowledge and understanding. Let's create a supportive and kind environment for learning and growth!
California adopted a "Housing First" policy several years ago. The number of people experiencing homelessness continued to rise thereafter. Much of the problem seems to be that there just aren't a lot of homes to be had, because it is time-consuming and expensive to make them (and/or illegal to make them quickly and cheaply).