City leaders call on the Governor and lawmakers to invest in voter-backed priorities of homelessness, public safety, and climate change in the state budget

Contact: Kayla Sherwood
ksherwood@calcities.org
(530) 844-1744

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sacramento — City officials from around the state gathered outside the Capitol on Wednesday to call on the Governor and lawmakers to focus this budget cycle on ensuring cities can still deliver on voter priorities and essential services, including boosting affordable housing and addressing homelessness.

The news conference, organized by the League of California Cities, also focused on two other budget priorities: funding to implement the voter-approved Prop. 36 and guaranteeing the voter-approved funding dedicated in the Prop. 4 climate bond.

“Cities of all sizes are focused on preventing and reducing homelessness, improving the safety of their communities, and preparing their cities for the impacts of climate change,” said Cal Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman. “These priorities are critical for the well-being of our residents and are backed by voters. But they require a strong partnership and investment from the state. We are calling on the Governor and lawmakers to lean in, listen to voters, fund what matters, and protect our cities.”

In far too many cities, the demand for housing and services is outpacing local efforts. People are falling into homelessness faster than cities can connect them to services and housing. Despite this, the Governor’s 2025-26 state budget proposal fails to include any new funding for the state’s flagship Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Grant (HHAP) Program. The budget also lacks new funding to support cities of every size in their efforts to address homelessness or invest in affordable housing programs.

Cal Cities and its allies are calling on the Governor and lawmakers to find a permanent home for homelessness funding in the state budget.

"As mayors of California’s cities, we are on the frontlines every day tackling the housing and homelessness crisis,” said Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson. HHAP funding has become critical to our cities as it provides us both the dollars and the flexibility to address our community’s unique housing needs. We are turning state investments into real, measurable outcomes — and lives are being changed because of it."

New survey data from Cal Cities highlights the investments that cities are making to address the homelessness crisis, especially when it comes to encampments. The survey also shines a spotlight on the real challenges cities face in making real progress.

Eight in ten cities are using general fund dollars to address encampments in their communities; only one in five cities have access to state funding to address encampments. Cities cite a lack of services, funding, and coordination with state agencies as the biggest barriers when addressing encampments. 

“Smaller cities like Bellflower do not receive direct HHAP funding, yet we proactively work to meet state mandates,” said Bellflower Council Member Victor Sanchez. “Bellflower has been a leader in taking ownership of the crisis and has dedicated over 9 million in General Fund dollars to emergency housing and outreach services. I urge the Governor and the Legislature to work alongside cities that are embracing local responsibility and ensure resources are reaching all parts of the state, including smaller cities that are too often overlooked.”

Cities are also requesting the state direct funds in the budget to help implement Prop. 36, a balanced initiative that provides more tools for cities to improve the safety of their communities. In November 2024, California voters in all 58 counties passed the measure.

“Voters in my city and throughout the state were clear when they overwhelmingly supported Prop. 36 — they want less crime and for us to turn the tide on the fentanyl crisis,” said Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen. “The people have spoken. It is now time for the state to ensure this commonsense measure translates into greater public safety, treatment for our most vulnerable residents, and accountability for repeat bad actors.”

Cities are also urging lawmakers to reject the Governor’s proposal to shift funding from the $10 billion voter-approved climate bond to backfill the state’s General Fund deficit. If the Legislature approves the Governor’s redirection of Prop. 4 funding, investments in water recycling and flood risk reduction, vegetation management, home hardening, and extreme heat and clean energy programs are all at stake.

“Voters in my city sent a clear message when they supported Prop. 4: The state must invest more to address the impacts of climate change,” said Santa Rosa Council Member Natalie Rogers. “If the state repurposes Prop. 4 funds, it not only undermines the will of the voters, but hinders our progress to prepare our communities for the impacts of climate change.”

Established in 1898, the League of California Cities is a nonprofit statewide association that advocates for cities with the state and federal governments and provides education and training services to elected and appointed city officials.

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