By Joe W. Bowers Jr.

California Black Media

With an expansive plan to tackle homelessness across California, Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced an $827 million investment through the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) program. The funds will be allocated to 37 regions, benefiting 100 cities and counties statewide, including many communities where Black Californians are disproportionately affected by housing insecurity.

This funding, announced earlier this month, aims to create permanent housing, establish shelter sites, and provide essential support services to uplift thousands of people experiencing homelessness. The announcement, delivered at the Downtown Women’s Center in Los Angeles, highlighted the state’s dedication to implementing long-term, accountable solutions.

Tomiquia Moss, Secretary of the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency, opened the event, emphasizing the proven strategies being implemented at the local level. “I’m often asked, ‘Do we know what to do around solving homelessness?’ The answer is yes because the folks here at the Downtown Women’s Center are doing it every single day,” Moss said. She stressed the critical role of collaboration and the new accountability measures that require cities and counties to achieve tangible outcomes.

Moss also acknowledged the complexity of the challenge in Los Angeles, where 207 people are housed daily, yet 227 people become newly homeless in the same period. “Unless we find solutions that outpace this cycle, we won’t get where we need to be,” she stressed. Moss highlighted that this funding, paired with other resources like encampment resolution grants and ongoing community collaboration, is key to making a lasting impact.

“No one is naive about the challenges we face, not just here in Los Angeles but throughout California,” Newsom said. “The state has stepped up in ways it never has before. We are seeing progress in some areas and stubborn challenges in others. This crisis requires a crisis mindset, and people are dying on our watch. We need to address this with the urgency it demands.”

Newsom also pointed out the significance of the state’s involvement in homelessness, noting that until a few years ago, the state had not been heavily invested in addressing the issue.

The impact of this funding will be significant in Los Angeles, which will receive $164.3 million for the city’s ongoing efforts to combat homelessness. Mayor Karen Bass, who joined Newsom at the event, highlighted the collaboration between city, county, and state officials, as well as the progress her administration has made.

“The only way we can show results is through a comprehensive approach,” Bass said. “Groups like The Downtown Women’s Center work to rapidly rehouse Angelenos and provide comprehensive services. This morning, I was in the Pico-Union area for an Inside Safe operation, where we moved people from tents and RVs off the streets and into housing. We housed over 30 Angelenos today.” Bass emphasized the need for unified efforts, adding, “We know that there are areas of dysfunction, and part of our work has been to bring every level of government together. We have to move beyond finger-pointing to real partnership.”

Newsom highlighted the need for regional collaboration: “This crisis doesn’t stop at city or county lines. It demands a coordinated, statewide effort to create real, lasting change.”

San Francisco is set to receive $43.32 million, which will be used for housing-first initiatives and comprehensive support services for the unhoused population.

Alameda County, with its $55.9 million allocation, will also focus on permanent housing solutions and strategies to address systemic causes of homelessness.

Sacramento will receive $53.21 million, which will be dedicated to developing permanent housing solutions and integrated support services to address the city’s growing homelessness crisis

The San Diego region, awarded $58.84 million, aims to expand shelter capacity and ensure long-term housing stability.

The Inland Empire, encompassing Riverside and San Bernardino counties, will receive $33.17 million to implement regional solutions, including shelter expansion and supportive services

Gustavo Velasquez, Director of the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) emphasized that the funding comes with strict accountability requirements.

“Our HCD team is honored to take on this expanded role in identifying and supporting effective regional solutions for Californians struggling with unsheltered homelessness,” Velasquez said. “Not only will this funding provide additional resources, but with the leadership of the Legislature and the administration, this program also ensures that every dollar spent delivers meaningful outcomes, with a clear focus on reducing homelessness to create lasting change. HCD will continue to apply our strong focus on accountability to maximize this critical investment for our state.”

The HHAP grants are a crucial part of California’s $40 billion investment in tackling homelessness, complementing initiatives like Project Homekey, which has successfully created thousands of permanent housing units, and the Encampment Resolution Fund, aimed at clearing dangerous encampments while providing support services. Earlier this month, Newsom allocated $131 million specifically for encampment resolutions across the state.

Newsom and other speakers emphasized that this funding is part of a comprehensive and unified effort to make meaningful and lasting changes across the state.

Additionally, Newsom recently announced $91 million to support Native American communities through the Tribal Homekey and Tribal HHAP programs. This funding includes $71 million for 172 permanent housing units in rural areas and $20 million for culturally responsive homelessness interventions, addressing the unique challenges faced by 37 federally recognized tribes.