Legislation would compile comprehensive data on the capacity of and the overall need for homelessness programs in order to inform a strategic plan on homelessness
Sacramento, CA—Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco) announced a bill today to perform a thorough analysis of all existing homelessness programs in California and the overall need for housing interventions and homelessness services. Assembly Bill 2329 would use the information collected to ensure resources are targeted efficiently, understand the need for more funding, and create a comprehensive, statewide plan to reduce homelessness.
“With over 151,000 Californians experiencing homelessness every night, we are in desperate need of a data-driven, targeted plan to address the moral crisis of our day,” said Assemblymember Chiu. “We need to ensure that limited public funding goes towards solutions that make the biggest impact as well as understand what it will take to end homelessness.”
During the past few years, California has made significant, one-time, budget allocations to address homelessness. Despite these investments, homelessness in California has continued to increase dramatically, with a 17 percent increase in the last year alone. The state is home to a quarter of the nation’s homeless population and has the largest unsheltered population in the United States.
There is no comprehensive statewide plan, informed by data, to solve California’s homelessness crisis. Without a clear picture of the need and capacity, it is difficult to know whether existing funds are being spent strategically or if existing funds are adequate to solve the issue.
AB 2329 directs the Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council to perform an analysis that identifies the overall need for housing interventions and homelessness services, the total amount of resources currently being spent on homelessness, and the capacity of existing homelessness programs and services.
Data will be sourced from state-funded departments and programs, local governments, continuums of care, and national research. The bill also requires the Council to look towards state-funded institutional settings, like the health care, criminal justice and foster care systems, to determine how many people who leave those settings fall into homelessness.
The Council will assess gaps between the needs and existing resources to determine how much additional ongoing funding will be required to make a significant reduction in homelessness in California. This information will be crucial to creating a statewide plan to address homelessness that targets resources effectively.
AB 2923 is co-authored by Assemblymembers Todd Gloria (D-San Diego) and Brian Maienschein (D-San Diego). The bill is co-sponsored by the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) and Housing California.
“The State needs better data on where our gaps exist and what it will take to change the trajectory on homelessness,” said Sharon Rapport, California Policy Director for CSH. “With a needs analysis, the Legislature, Governor, and Administration will be able to track the affordable housing and service interventions communities across the state have now, what we are missing, and how we should target resources to make state strategies most effective. Once again, Assemblymember Chiu has taken a leadership role in reducing homelessness. CSH is proud to co-sponsor this bill and support Assemblymember Chiu’s ongoing efforts to enact smart, economically-sound solutions.”
If passed, the final report compiled by the Council would be due to the Legislature by July 31, 2021. AB 2329 will be heard in the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee this spring.