March 1, 2022

On Friday February 25, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) hosted a press conference to announce The Housing for All Act of 2022 (Act) legislative proposal, at a local Project Homekey site in Sacramento. This bill aims to invest $532 billion over 10 years into programs that are expected to alleviate housing shortages and help reduce homelessness. Some of those programs include investment in Housing Choice Vouchers, Project-based Rental Assistance, and grant programs to help jurisdictions most efficiently navigate federal and state housing funding sources and establish a commission on racial equity. A Section by Section overview is available with additional information and funding goals.

Senator Padilla kicked off the press conference describing the Act and a number of state and local leaders shared success stories and examples of investment opportunities to be fulfilled with the increased funding, including: Secretary Lourdes Castro-Ramirez from California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency; Director Gustavo Velasquez from California Department of Housing and Community Development; Executive Director La Shelle Dozier from Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency; President Doug Shoemaker from Mercy Housing California; and CSAC’s very own President Ed Valenzuela.

President Valenzuela spoke about how counties all over California are struggling to address the homelessness and housing affordability crisis and that the investments in the Act would support an array of innovative solutions that could change the lives of countless residents. President Valenzuela also spoke from a county perspective, noting that in Siskiyou County census data shows that nearly 50 percent of renter households pay more than half of their income on rent.

If enacted, speakers and Senator Padilla explained how the Act could make a major difference by infusing additional funds in a variety of programs. For example, safe places to park overnight, accessibility to rehousing and essential services, investment in hotel and motel conversions to permanent supportive housing, among others. A recording of the press conference is available online.