Home » Santa Clarita News » Politics » State Lawmakers Voted On L.A. County Supported Legislation To Prompt Declaration Of Homelessness As A ‘State-Wide Emergency’
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State Lawmakers Voted On L.A. County Supported Legislation To Prompt Declaration Of Homelessness As A ‘State-Wide Emergency’

Assembly lawmakers passed House Resolution 56 Thursday, prompting Gov. Jerry Brown to declare homelessness a state of emergency.


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With over 20 percent of the nation’s homeless population residing in California, and an estimated 47,000 in L.A. County according to a press release from the L.A. Chief Executive Office, local officials are calling for a state of emergency to bring awareness to the homeless epidemic.

Miguel Santiago, D-Los Angeles, the Democrat majority whip from the 53rd District, was one of the several authors of the resolution.

“California is too prosperous a state for so many to suffer from homelessness,” said Santiago, in a news release. The resolution passed the Assembly Thursday, and moves on to the state Senate for consideration.

“HR-56 was passed on the floor today, (with) overwhelming support in the Assembly.  Now we turn to the Senate to see if they will come forth and issue the resolution like the Assembly urging Governor (Brown) to call a state of emergency,” said Al Naipo, Senior Deputy for Communications for L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas.

If the bill passes through the Senate, Brown will have the option to declare homelessness a statewide emergency.

The significance of Brown’s resolution is that it would allow up to $500 million to be allocated for homeless care and outreach programs organized by California counties, said Naipo.

“This declaration within the state could speed up and provide immediate help for the homeless.  $500 million could (help build) housing and provide rapid help right away,” Naipo explained.

If Brown approved new funds to help the homeless initiative, it is likely L.A. County would get the largest share due to its 47,000 estimated homeless individuals, the most of any county in California.

“(While) there is no actual funding mechanism in the resolution itself, (it) urges Governor (Brown) to tap into funds that already exist and target funds to homeless,” Naipo said.

Money would then be distributed to counties where local agencies would provide outreach and services to homeless populations.

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Hunt Braly, president of the Bridge to Home Board of Directors, expected the resolution would have little effect on the organization’s efforts, however.

Bridge to Home is a local nonprofit that help individuals and families in the Santa Clarita Valley transition out of homelessness, by providing an emergency winter shelter, case management, housing navigation, and medical and dental clinics, according to its website.

“We have been working extremely close with the city (of Santa Clarita) over the past year, expanding our services and increasing awareness of homelessness in the valley,” Braly said.”  I do not see a bill in Sacramento changing the impact with the city staff (and work we do).”

The resolution (HR-56) passed Thursday and will be voted on in the State Senate soon.   Funds would be allocated only after Brown declares homelessness in a state of emergency.
For more details on the L.A. County’s Homeless Initiative, visit: http://priorities.lacounty.gov/homeless/

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State Lawmakers Voted On L.A. County Supported Legislation To Prompt Declaration Of Homelessness As A ‘State-Wide Emergency’

One comment

  1. There are lots of families that cannot afford the cost of rent these days. I think each city should have a city owned apartment complex for these people with rent that is significantly lower then rest of the cities rentals. just make them one and two bedrooms not to nice and I believe it will get families on their feet off of welfare and ready to move onward and upward this rent money can go to the cities budget or even the countries deficit, Or it could even pay for free hospital care and eliminate Obama care.

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