San Diego Receives $2.5 Million from Senate Bill 2 to Combat Homelessness

SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Housing and Community Development has awarded $2,531,886 to the San Diego Regional Task Force on the Homeless to fund programs that address homelessness in the region. The funding stems from Senate Bill 2, legislation authored in 2017 by Senator Toni G. Atkins.

The award will provide the Regional Task Force with flexible funding to assist those experiencing or at risk of homelessness through tools such as rental assistance, permanent housing and systems support to ensure a coordinated regional approach to homelessness.

“It’s gratifying to see dollars from SB 2 making their way to communities across California, including San Diego, which struggles under the weight of a serious homelessness problem,” said Senate Leader Atkins. “Before this, SB 2 was merely a concept, an idea – now it’s part of a solution for many vulnerable people in San Diego and throughout the state.”

SB 2 – the Building Homes and Jobs Act – created a permanent source of funding for affordable housing. Under the bill, half of the revenue generated in 2018 funds programs that fight homelessness. The funding just awarded, under the California Emergency Solutions and Housing program, represents the first round of that funding. A second round will be announced in the spring.

The other half of the 2018 revenue will go to cities and counties to update community plans. The first Notice of Funding Availability for the SB 2 planning grants will be released in March, with awards coming later this year.

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Toni G. Atkins is President pro Tempore of the California Senate. Having previously served as Speaker of the California Assembly, she began her tenure in the Senate in 2016. As Senator for District 39, she represents the cities of San Diego, Coronado, Del Mar and Solana Beach. Website of President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins: www.senate.ca.gov/Atkins