Homelessness Bill Advocacy Progress

CSAC is pleased to share a significant positive development on Senate Bill 16, authored by Senator Blakespear. While CSAC currently has an oppose position, it’s our understanding that amendments will be made that address our concerns. The sustained county advocacy effort in opposition to this bill made this progress possible.

As currently drafted, SB 16 would require counties to contribute 50% of the expected costs to operate city homeless shelters. The measure would also create a new mechanism for the Department of Housing and Community Development to review county budgets to determine how much a county should contribute to city shelters if the Board of Supervisors determines complying with these requirements would be financially infeasible. CSAC led a coalition opposition letter that outlined our concerns with the bill.

The Senator’s office has shared with CSAC that they will be taking amendments to the bill that will remove the county funding obligation for city-operated shelters. This positive development reflects strong county advocacy highlighting the concerns about this unfunded and inappropriate mandate. CSAC is grateful that Senator Blakespear is responsive to these concerns and open to working with counties on comprehensive approaches to address homelessness in our state. Once the language is in print, CSAC will update our position on the bill.