Lawmakers endorse finding a permanent home in the state budget for homelessness programs and affordable housing

Contact:
Kayla Sherwood, 530-844-1744, ksherwood@calcities.org
William Pond, 916-319-2067, william.pond@asm.ca.gov

Sacramento — More than two dozen state lawmakers are calling on the Assembly and Senate budget committees to include a permanent funding stream of $3 billion annually in the state budget to help cities tackle two of the state’s top priorities, increasing the supply of affordable housing and reducing and preventing homelessness.

The bipartisan group of Assembly Members and Senators signed on to a letter authored by Assembly Member Sharon Quirk-Silva, who is championing the League of California Cities’ budget ask for ongoing funding.

"I'd like to sincerely thank my bipartisan coalition of colleagues for supporting our effort advocating for a permanent funding stream of $3 billion annually to help Californians find homes and prevent homelessness," said Assembly Member Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton). "Cities across California have an urgent need for this funding, as they struggle to provide long-term homelessness services and find themselves diverting funding from other programs. With an ongoing investment from the state, we can achieve transformative effects, prevent more individuals from losing their homes, and establish effective homelessness programs, ensuring that all Californians have a place to live and create prosperous communities. "

A recent statewide survey by the League of California Cities underscores why ongoing funding is so essential. According to the survey results, nearly 85% of cities report they have implemented programs to prevent and reduce homelessness. However, nearly 90% of cities have concerns over their ability to keep delivering those programs to those in their communities who rely upon them. Despite the concerted efforts of local governments, the number of individuals entering homelessness surpasses the capacity of many cities to effectively support individuals transitioning out of homelessness.

“We are living in a time where greater state investments to address these crises are not an option — they’re a mandate,” says Cal Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman. “We know that budgets are about priorities and increasing the supply of affordable housing and preventing homelessness are two of the biggest priorities our state must address.”

An ongoing investment of $3 billion from the state would help generate crucial housing production and provide vital support to thousands of Californians currently experiencing homelessness. Such funding would play a pivotal role in preventing thousands more individuals from losing their homes in the first place.