State Makes Funding Available to Communities to Combat Homelessness

September 6, 2018

SACRAMENTO – California Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) today announced that the state Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency (BCSH) has notified communities across California that funding is now available from two programs aimed at significantly reducing homelessness: the Homeless Emergency Aid Program and the Atkins-authored Building Homes and Jobs Act.

“Homelessness in California is a full-fledged humanitarian crisis. Not only is it a dire situation for individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness – it’s also a widespread societal ill that can create serious economic, environmental and public-health consequences,” Atkins said. “The state is responding with considerable financial resources to help our communities fund solutions that meet their specific needs.

“It’s one thing to identify three-quarters of a billion dollars to address a severe problem – it’s another thing to know that the money is ready to head out the door,” Atkins added.

BCSH has released a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP). Emergency homelessness aid was a top priority for the Senate in budget negotiations with the Assembly and Governor Brown, and the final agreement included $500 million to help communities fight homelessness.

The city of San Diego will receive $14,110,397.95 in HEAP funding; the rest of the San Diego region will receive $18,821,668.48, administered by the San Diego Regional Task Force on the Homeless. Programs targeting youth homelessness will receive $705,519.90 from the city of San Diego’s allocation and $941,083.42 from the regional allocation.

HEAP funding may be used for homelessness prevention, criminal-justice diversion for homeless individuals with mental-health needs, emergency aid, homeless outreach, housing navigation services, rental assistance and landlord incentives to increase housing opportunities available to formerly homeless individuals.

Additionally, the San Diego region will receive $2,531,886 from Senate Bill 2 – the Building Homes and Jobs Act – legislation authored by Senator Atkins and signed by Governor Brown in 2017. SB 2 created a permanent, reliable source of funding for affordable housing through a $75 fee on the recording of certain real-estate documents. It is estimated that SB 2 will generate $250 million annually.

Half of the revenue from SB 2 generated in 2018 is being earmarked for programs targeting homelessness. The Department of Housing and Community Development released a NOFA for that portion of the funding on Aug. 15. To be eligible for funding, jurisdictions are required to have a fully operational coordinated-entry system, which will help ensure that all future money is being spent effectively and no one is falling through the cracks.

The remaining half of the SB 2 revenue generated in 2018 will help cities and counties throughout the state update community plans. Doing so will create new opportunities for housing development. Funding for that portion of the revenue will be made available in early 2019.

“As far too many San Diegans are experiencing the impact of the statewide homeless and housing crises, this funding announcement provides immediate resources for those in need,” said San Diego City Councilmember Chris Ward, chair of the City Council’s Select Committee on Homelessness. “San Diego is well-positioned to allocate these funds to proven, outcomes-based programs and I look forward to working with our state and local partners in our collaborative response.”

“No person or family should be forced to live on the street, along a riverbed or in a shelter simply because they can’t afford a home,” said Gordon Walker, chief executive officer of the San Diego Regional Task Force on the Homeless. “The funding coming to San Diego County will go a long way toward creating new housing opportunities for people who are struggling and desperate for them.”

A third major source of funding to address the homelessness and housing-affordability crisis is the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program (AHSC), part of the state’s Cap and Trade system. AHSC will get $455 million from the 2018-2019 state budget to facilitate the development of affordable housing in areas served by public transit. The next round of funding availability for AHSC will be announced at a future date.

Website of President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins: www.senate.ca.gov/Atkins