March 13, 2025

As California lawmakers debate whether to include any new funding to address homelessness in this year’s state budget, counties are emphasizing the progress being made and the critical need for a more structured approach to ensure lasting success. 

“I am concerned that when we talk about accountability, we may drift into pointing a finger at a particular entity rather than looking at the collective system —  how the federal government, the state government, county and cities work together and finding those opportunities to improve and get better results for all,” Santa Cruz County Housing for Health Director Dr. Robert Ratner told an Assembly budget subcommittee this week. His remarks reflect a growing consensus among county leaders that a more coordinated system is key to making meaningful progress. 

To hear more about what is and isn’t working in the current homelessness funding and accountability model, watch the full testimony from Santa Cruz County Housing for Health Director Dr. Robert Ratner.

Here’s an example of how the current system — with its tangled web of fragmented responsibilities and inconsistent funding — fails Californians: 

If you see a person experiencing homelessness, who do you call for help? The answer isn’t clear. In California, no single entity is responsible for ensuring that individuals experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness get the assistance they need. And that, counties argue, is exactly why the state’s homelessness crisis continues to exasperate elected officials and constituents alike. 

Problem #1: Unclear Accountability 

No single entity is explicitly responsible for ensuring individuals experiencing homelessness receive shelter, mental health care, or transitional housing. Not counties, not cities, not non-profits, or anyone else. There is no overarching framework defining who is ultimately accountable for outcomes. 

This fragmented approach results in gaps in services and inefficiencies that hinder progress. County leaders are calling for a clearly defined system outlining the responsibilities of each level of government.  

Problem #2: Inconsistent Funding 

The Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) program has been a crucial source of funding, enabling counties to expand services, provide shelter, and support their most vulnerable residents. However, the current one-year-at-a-time funding model creates uncertainty, making it difficult for local governments to plan and sustain effective programs.  

“Accountability should not come at the cost of efficiency, and the current annual application process [for HHAP] is resource-intensive and ever-changing,” Chevon Kothari, Deputy County Executive for Social Services, Sacramento County, noted during a Senate budget subcommittee hearing. “A multi-year model would enable us to be more strategic with our investments and have better long-term outcomes.” 

To learn more about how stable, multi-year funding can strengthen the HHAP program and local efforts to reduce homelessness, watch the full testimony from Sacramento County Deputy County Executive for Social Services Chevon Kothari.

Local governments share this concern. CSAC, the League of California Cities, the Big City Mayors, and the Bring California Home Coalition are urging state leaders to approve ongoing funding for homelessness in this year’s budget. Reliable, long-term support will ensure that HHAP funding continues to lift Californians out of homelessness and strengthen the capacity of essential services

Additionally, potential reductions in federal funding highlight the need for sustained state investment. Ventura County CEO Dr. Sevet Johnson illustrated this issue in a recent testimony, outlining how funding uncertainty undermines counties’ ability to provide services effectively. 

“We can’t solve homelessness on a wing and a prayer,” says Inyo County Supervisor and California State Association of Counties President Jeff Griffiths, “Without shared responsibility and reliable funding, whatever California tries to do to reduce homelessness will fail. CSAC is ready to work with our state and local government partners to reimagine what’s possible.”