With the Measure A housing bond fully committed, municipal budgets stretched thin, and serious federal funding threats, efforts are underway to bring additional resources to our community to build on recent progress. While all levels of government have a role in ending and preventing homelessness, we’re currently seeing the greatest advocacy opportunities at the State level.
Here’s a snapshot of the State bills and budget requests we’re supporting and how you can take action:
- Housing and Homelessness Priority Investments: Destination: Home has joined a united statewide coalition of affordable housing, homelessness and housing justice organizations to propose a set of priority investments for the upcoming state budget. The request responds to the nearly 45,000 shovel-ready affordable homes waiting for state funding, an opportunity to leverage newly expanded federal affordable housing tax credits, and the federal funding threats and restrictions that could push upwards of 40,000 households back into homelessness across the state. One critical element of this ask is to restore $1B in funding for the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program (HHAP): California’s largest flexible source of state funding for local homelessness response that funds shelter operations, supportive housing and prevention programs that stop homelessness before it starts. Learn more, spread the word and urge state leaders to fight for this funding in the final budget.
- Affordable Housing Bond Act: The best way to make housing more affordable is to build more affordable homes. But with housing funding running out, there is real danger affordable production could come to a halt. The Affordable Housing Bond Act places a $10 billion bond on this year’s November ballot — allowing voters to support the production and preservation of affordable housing for lower-income households. Learn more & take action.
- The California Housing Justice Act: Requires the state to create a plan to solve our affordable housing and homelessness crisis and invest the resources needed on an ongoing basis. The legislation includes a strategic roadmap to end homelessness and the housing affordability crisis, direction on investing ongoing funding for long-term solutions, and accountability measures. Learn more & take action.
- Assembly Bill 1924, Creating a Statewide Homelessness Prevention Strategy: The most obvious solution to homelessness is stopping it before it starts. Destination: Home is proud to co-sponsor this bill which would elevate local models like the Santa Clara County Homelessness Prevention System and lay the foundation for state funding. Learn more.