Santiago and Colleagues Reintroduce State Mandate to Reduce Homelessness

(Sacramento, CA) – Assembly Members Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles), David Chiu (D-San Francisco), Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica), Rob Bonta (D-Oakland), Quirk-Silva (D-Orange County), and Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) reintroduced a measure that continues last year’s effort to establish accountability measures to dramatically reduce homelessness in California. Specifically, AB 816 would create a process for holding state and local governments accountable for housing the unsheltered based on measurable goals while using existing resources.

“Reducing homelessness requires a shared responsibility and should be on top of everyone’s agenda,” said Assembly Member Santiago. “There’s no reason why local municipalities shouldn’t be legally required to quickly house as many people as possible, especially as we battle a ravaging pandemic. By establishing an accountability and enforcement mandate, we will be that much closer to eliminating homelessness in California.”

“When an Adult Residential Facility closes, it leaves some of the most vulnerable people in our community at risk of homelessness,” said Assembly Member Chiu. “Providing more time and relocation assistance can go a long way towards ensuring residents have a place to go and are cared for.”

California has the highest rate of unsheltered homeless individuals in the nation. On any given night, over 150,000 Californians are homeless and COVID-19 has only exacerbated this humanitarian crisis. By proactively establishing plans, metrics, accountability and enforcement mechanisms, AB 816 will move California towards finally addressing the moral crisis of our time.

This bill will be heard in the Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development in April 2021.

Assembly Member Miguel Santiago is the Chair of the Assembly Committee on Communications and Conveyance and the Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Los Angeles County Homelessness. He also sits on the Assembly Committees on Public Safety, Health, Higher Education and Utilities and Energy. He represents the 53rd District composed of the cities of Los Angeles, Huntington Park, and Vernon.