June 13, 2024

California State Association of Counties CEO Graham Knaus issued the following statement on the legislature’s passage of the 2024-25 state budget which rejected many of the most severe proposed cuts to homelessness and the social safety net programs. 

“The legislative budget advances critical solutions to homelessness and delivers on our shared commitment to protect the most vulnerable Californians. 

“Despite this year’s challenging budget environment, the legislature has sided with California values on a number of critical priorities, including: rejecting cuts to safety net programs like CalWORKs, providing local governments continued funding to combat the homelessness crisis by maintaining Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) grant program, the most effective program to address homelessness and backfilling lost federal funds for the victims of crime act program and much more.

“In the days to come, it is critical that the governor and legislature ensure these programs are protected in the final budget deal. We have come too far and made too much meaningful progress to unravel funding that defines the California promise to our most vulnerable, prevents and addresses homelessness, foster care, and abused seniors. Let’s not take a step backwards now.”