Read our Coalition Budget Letter on Homelessness here
In collaboration with service providers and stakeholders across the state, we have published a response to the Governor’s proposed budget on homelessness. Our response strengthens the Governor’s proposed budget to ensure that 100% of persons who came inside to Project Roomkey are not forced back to the street. It accomplishes this within the new budget reality and leverages one-time federal funds with one-time/minimal state investment on a nearly 4:1 basis. Three primary components of our proposal:
- EXPAND the types of housing that can be acquired/created with $600M CARES Act funding to take advantage of market conditions and ensure no money is left on the table by December 31.
- ELIMINATE the fatal operational funding gap that is built into the current proposal.
- INCENTIVIZE local governments to use their CARES Act funding to combat homelessness.
In addition, we have created an Action Plan for State/Local Collaboration to End Homelessness. Due to the gravity of the State’s budget shortfall, our plan emphasizes three priorities that emphasize regulatory changes and new or reprioritized sources of funding:
- Use local CARES Act (or HEROES Act) funds and State-coordinated philanthropic support to invest in targeted homeless prevention efforts.
- Create short-term and long-term innovation funds to bring people indoors and create a bridge from interim to permanent housing.
- Use tax credits and loans to expand income support and small business assistance.
