![California Skyline](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/2020-04/California-min_0.jpg?itok=vgsn9OR6) # Project on Poverty and Inequality in California At a Glance Even before the economic disruptions caused by COVID-19, far too many Californians were living in poverty. Despite solid economic growth, pockets of vast wealth, and a robust social safety net, California still had the nation’s highest poverty rate, while millions more Californians lived on the edge. Now, that dire situation can only be expected to grow worse. Join the Conversation [\#CatoCalifornia](https://x.com/hashtag/CatoCalifornia) Share This Topic #### Featured Content [![The California State Capitol](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2022-10/Edited_California-State-Capitol-Large.jpg?itok=4b9SWRS9)](https://www.cato.org/study/catos-project-poverty-inequality-california-one-year-anniversary) Study ## [Cato’s Project on Poverty and Inequality in California](/study/catos-project-poverty-inequality-california-one-year-anniversary) By [Michael D. Tanner](https://www.cato.org/people/michael-d-tanner) One year ago, the Cato Project on Poverty and Inequality in California released its final report along with 24 recommendations for reforming the ways in which the Golden State can fight poverty. In the year since, California has made progress on some issues, but made serious missteps as well. [![Tent city on skid row in California](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2021-10/d19e9414-fe0e-4db8-935a-5cc621aa5492.jpeg?itok=M9OB3l9J)](https://www.cato.org/commentary/tackling-los-angeles-homelessness-crisis-requires-ambitious-reform-agenda) Commentary ### [Tackling Los Angeles’ Homelessness Crisis Requires an Ambitious Reform Agenda](/commentary/tackling-los-angeles-homelessness-crisis-requires-ambitious-reform-agenda) By [Michael D. Tanner](https://www.cato.org/people/michael-d-tanner) Despite what some have claimed, California’s crisis of homelessness is driven by high housing costs. [![California Skyline](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2021-09/california-skyline.jpg?itok=OekhhvOg)](https://www.cato.org/events/new-agenda-fighting-poverty-inequality-california-los-angeles) events ### [A New Agenda for Fighting Poverty and Inequality in California (Los Angeles)](/events/new-agenda-fighting-poverty-inequality-california-los-angeles) Featuring Eric Garcetti, Henry Gascon, Michael Lawson, Will Swaim, & [Michael D. Tanner](https://www.cato.org/people/michael-d-tanner) This conference will bring together a diverse group of political, business, and academic leaders to respond to Cato’s recommendations and offer their own ideas for dealing with poverty. [![A New Agenda for Fighting Poverty and Inequality in California (Sacramento)](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2021-10/Sacramento%20Conf.jpg?itok=eu43tOwP)](https://www.cato.org/events/new-agenda-fighting-poverty-inequality-california) events ### [A New Agenda for Fighting Poverty and Inequality in California (Sacramento)](/events/new-agenda-fighting-poverty-inequality-california) Featuring Chesa Boudin, Jeff Hewitt, Sen. Melissa Hurtado, Sen. Sydney Kamlager, Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, Sara Kimberlin, Robert Lapsley, Peter Manzo, [Michael D. Tanner](https://www.cato.org/people/michael-d-tanner), Micah Weinberg, & Jim Wunderman This conference, part of Cato’s [Project on Poverty and Inequality in California](https://www.cato.org/project-poverty-inequality-california), will bring together a diverse group of political, business, and academic leaders to discuss regulatory and other barriers to rebuilding economic opportunity in poor and minority communities ravaged by COVID-19. ##### Featured Video ##### [Common Sense Reforms to End Poverty and Inequality in California](https://www.cato.org/multimedia/cato-video/common-sense-reforms-end-poverty-inequality-california) In this 30-minute documentary, we explore common sense solutions to poverty and inequality, with testimony from an ideologically diverse group of business leaders, social activists, and scholars. We are proud to announce that our film won Best Documentary Editing Award at the recent [Oregon Documentary Film Festival](https://filmfreeway.com/OregonDocumentaryFilmFestival?utm_campaign=Cato%20Events&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9dj_BV0k-dVB1OlmVj-UBn73vYTVp02QX2t96GDeeVbUqKhltM-JWz8HvqUK48UKm9HEuH), providing us another platform and opportunity to share our ideas and inform the public of a better way forward. [![Inclusive Economy](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/promo_block/public/download-remote-images/store.cato.org/6566592594/9781948647021.jpg?itok=hueIW4gZ)](https://www.cato.org/books/inclusive-economy) ##### Featured Book ### *[The Inclusive Economy: How to Bring Wealth to America’s Poor](https://www.cato.org/books/inclusive-economy)* *The Inclusive Economy* energetically challenges the conventional wisdom of both the right and the left that underlies much of the contemporary debate over poverty and welfare policy. Author and national public policy expert Michael Tanner takes to task conservative critiques of a “culture of poverty” for their failure to account for the structural circumstances in which the poor live. [Purchase Book](https://www.cato.org/books/inclusive-economy) #### Related Videos [![Cato Project on Homelessness and Poverity in California - Childcare video](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2021-03/cato-phpinca-childcare-social.png?itok=8zNFfQul)](https://www.cato.org/multimedia/cato-video/overregulation-californias-childcare-crisis) Cato Video ### [Overregulation and California’s Childcare Crisis](/multimedia/cato-video/overregulation-californias-childcare-crisis) Featuring Cato Institute Excessive regulations increase overhead expenses for providers, making it harder to get off the ground and stay afloat. The solution? Deregulate childcare services. [![](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/brightcove/videos/images/posters/image_20881.jpg?itok=mGNGdLU_)](https://www.cato.org/multimedia/cato-video/how-california-zoning-makes-homes-more-expensive) Cato Video ### [How California Zoning Makes Homes More Expensive](/multimedia/cato-video/how-california-zoning-makes-homes-more-expensive) Featuring Mike Manville [![](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/brightcove/videos/images/posters/image_20610.jpg?itok=MwvVEk_2)](https://www.cato.org/multimedia/cato-video/zoning-discrimination-affordable-housing) Cato Video ### [Zoning, Discrimination, and Affordable Housing](/multimedia/cato-video/zoning-discrimination-affordable-housing) Featuring Cato Institute