On April 20, 2024, mayors from California's 13 largest cities met at the State Capitol. They are part of the Big City Mayors coalition, led by San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria. Their main goal was to secure ongoing state funding for California's primary homelessness program, the Homelessness Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) program. They urged Governor Gavin Newsom and the state Legislature to maintain and ensure continuous funding.
Mayor Todd Gloria spoke about the HHAP program's success in increasing emergency shelters and helping people find permanent housing. He emphasized the need for continued state funding to sustain and expand these achievements. The mayors argued that stable funding would allow cities to plan and implement effective long-term strategies to fight homelessness.
The group also advocated for the return of funding for the Regional Early Action Planning 2.0 (REAP 2.0) grants. These grants help local governments update housing plans and create new housing opportunities, tackling the wider issue of housing affordability in California. Their agenda included support for the California Youth Service Corps program and solutions for retail theft, which affects community safety and economic activity.
The mayors highlighted the state's financial challenges, including a significant budget deficit. Despite recent actions reducing the deficit by $17 billion without harming housing and homelessness programs, the proposed budget lacks further HHAP funding. The mayors warned that without continued support, progress in reducing homelessness might be at risk.
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