SACRAMENTO— Speaker Emeritus Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) announced today that he has introduced legislation to permanently extend a pilot program that provides supportive services to Californians at high risk of becoming homeless.
"As the homelessness crisis continues to worsen in California, now is not the time to end critical services that are helping keep people housed across the state," said Speaker Emeritus Rendon. "This program, developed thanks to the hard work of Assemblymember Santiago, has a track record of success in allowing counties to coordinate services for Californians most in need of help. The Legislature must take action to ensure this important program can continue into the future."
In 2019, California passed a pilot program (AB 728 by Assemblymember Miguel Santiago) that authorizes several counties to develop homeless multidisciplinary teams. These teams allow different county agencies to share information in order to coordinate services for Californians identified as being at a higher risk of becoming homeless. This program is set to expire on January 1, 2025.
"Many people experiencing homelessness suffer from both mental health and substance use disorders," said Assembly Member Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles). "However, confidentiality laws can make it difficult to effectively coordinate and deliver services. This legislation will enable county homeless multi-disciplinary teams across the state to share information to provide higher quality care to people experiencing homelessness."
AB 1948 would extend this key program, giving the pilot counties (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Clara, and Ventura) the ability to continue to coordinate services for individuals at high risk of homelessness.
Website of Assembly Speaker Emeritus Anthony Rendon: https://a62.asmdc.org
CONTACT: Katie.Talbot@asm.ca.gov