On June 13, California lawmakers passed a legislative budget for 2025-26. Like Governor Newsom’s proposal, it includes no funding for the state’s Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) program, which provides grants to local governments for homelessness prevention and housing. Instead, the budget contains this non-binding promise for the future:
“It is the intent of the Legislature to appropriate $500,000,000 for a Round 7 of the Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) program in 2026–27 by formula funding to cities, counties, continuums of care, and tribes, with prompt distribution to eligible recipients.”
California’s Big City Mayors have been raising the alarm for months. In a previous letter to lawmakers, they warned that 6,500 shelter beds could be lost — and homeless outreach services significantly reduced — if they lose HHAP funding.
California State Association of Counties President and Inyo County Supervisor Jeff Griffiths called the lack of HHAP funding "unacceptable.”
Arguably, it's also at odds with voter sentiment. Californians continue to rank homelessness among their top concerns. Now, cities and counties say it could get much worse.