Galvanized by coronavirus fears, California lawmakers push bills on homelessness
With millions of Californians out of work, and experts worried huge numbers could lose their housing as a result of the pandemic, state lawmakers are focusing on the homelessness crisis with new fervor.
Legislators are attempting to push through a wide range of bills this year aimed at helping those on the streets or on the brink — an effort with particular significance in the Bay Area, where high rents and inadequate housing contributed to staggering homelessness numbers even before COVID-19 hit.
One bill would require state and local leaders to develop a plan to essentially eradicate homelessness within eight years. Another would set aside $2 billion a year for shelter operations, homelessness prevention and other related services. A third would force local officials to make it easier to build homeless shelters in their cities.
“I get an email every night in my inbox from constituents … who are asking for help, and it’s story after story after story of I lost my job, I’m still waiting for my unemployment, I’m worried I’m going to get evicted from my apartment. It’s heart-wrenching stuff,” said Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland. “For me, that creates a strong sense of urgency that my colleagues are hopefully feeling as well.”
Read more: https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/06/29/galvanized-by-coronavirus-fears-california-lawmakers-push-bills-on-homelessness/
