Last Friday, Governor Brown announced that the California state budget has a surplus of nearly $9 billion. The May Revise incldues $250 million for a one-time Homelessness Emergency Aid block grant program to assist local governments mitigate the impacts of homelessness statewide.
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, Chair of the California Big 11 Mayors, applauded the Governor's recognition that the state must play a larger role in addressing the growing homelessness issue throughout the state. This comes just weeks after the Big 11 Mayors held a press conference in support of Assembly Bill 3171and the allocation of $1.5 billion to cities directly to implement long-term solutions, including permanent housing and retnal assistance, as well as provide for emergency measures, like triage shelters and navigation centers.
“Tens of thousands of people are living on the streets in California cities, creating a humanitarian and public safety crisis that shocks the conscience and diminishes cities' economic vitality,” Mayor Steinberg commented at last month's press conference. “While the state has taken some steps to help, cities still lack the resources to make a demonstrable difference.”
The California Big 11 Mayors include the cities of Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Long Beach, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Fresno, Sacramento, Oakland and Bakersfield.
To read the full press release, click here. For more information about The Coalition to End Homelessness, or to sign the coalition form, click here.