Sens. Blakespear, Becker and Mayor Mahan Call for More Housing Now to Ease Homelessness

SACRAMENTO – Sens. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, and Josh Becker, D-Menlo Park, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan joined advocates on Monday to call for more urgency to address homelessness and to take steps that would help cities build and operate interim housing to get unsheltered people off the streets.

At a press conference in front of the state Capitol, they implored the Legislature to pass SB 16 and SB 606, legislation that would require cities to plan to get all their unsheltered residents into housing and require counties to provide greater support for social services needed for shelters and interim housing units. Watch the press conference here.

SB 16 would direct counties to partner with cities to support operations of their interim housing facilities. Specifically, it would require counties to cover at least 50 percent of the cost to operate cities’ interim housing and shelter operations. 

SB 606 would require cities, counties and continuums of care to proactively plan to end unsheltered homelessness in their jurisdictions, and it would encourage small cities to participate in regional planning to address homelessness. 

SB 16 is set to be heard in the Senate Housing Committee on April 22, and SB 606 is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Human Services Committee on April 21.  

Interim housing units, like those that are modular and factory built, can be much more quickly developed and provided to the unsheltered than traditional brick-and-mortar housing. The City of San Jose was able to develop more than 700 units of modular interim housing in 18 months, while typical affordable housing project take between four and seven years to complete. 

But cities struggle to provide social services needed at shelters and interim housing units that are generally provided by counties. SB 16 ensures cities get the support they need to pursue and operate interim housing, and SB 606 ensures that cities are working toward the goal of moving all unsheltered off the streets and into housing, known as “functional zero unsheltered.”

“For years, California’s homeless crisis has continued to worsen,” Sen. Blakespear said. “We need to step up and make it a clear goal in every region to get people off the streets, and we have to give cities the tools and support they need to do that. Counties need to be full partners in this effort. That’s why we need SB 16 and SB 606.”

“Now more than ever, I believe we can truly end unsheltered homelessness in California,” Sen. Becker said. “Interim housing is a crucial rung on the ladder to get to permanent housing. SB 16 and SB 606 give us the tools to act faster — getting people off the streets and into safe, stable housing where they can access healthcare, services, job opportunities, and a real path to permanent housing, all at a lower cost to taxpayers. No one should be left to suffer or die on our sidewalks. Functional zero is within reach — but only if we act with urgency and compassion.”

"Senators Blakespear and Becker understand what too many still don’t: if we’re serious about ending unsheltered homelessness, every level of government must act — together," said San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. “Cities need to do their part by providing land and building safe, dignified shelter, while counties must match that commitment by funding the case management and treatment services that help people turn their lives around.” 

"Together,” said Elizabeth Funk, founder and CEO of DignityMoves, “these bills send a powerful message from the state of California: ending unsheltered homelessness is an immediate priority. By requiring municipalities and counties to assess what it would take to reach functional zero in their region, it will become evident that this goal is not only achievable—it’s within reach, especially when they work together toward a shared solution."

“California cannot maintain its status as a world-class economy while over 120,000 of its residents sleep on its sidewalks each night,” said Adrian Covert, Senior Vice President of Public Policy at the Bay Area Council. “These bills by Senators Blakespear and Becker will strengthen coordination between cities and counties to expand the shelter and interim housing options needed to save lives and bring the era of encampments to a close.”

“For too long, we have accepted an unacceptable situation when it comes to leaving tens of thousands of our neighbors on the streets,” said Tracy Hernandez, CEO of the New California Coalition. “These bills by Senators Blakespear and Becker make clear it is time to finally bring these folks inside through better utilizing the billions of dollars that California has invested in homeless programs.” 

Sen. Blakespear represents Senate District 38. Her constituents live in northern San Diego County and southern Orange County. To learn more about the district and Sen. Blakespear, visit her Senate website.

###