HR 46
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Date of Hearing: June 29, 2023
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES
James Ramos, Chair
HR 46 (Ward) – As Introduced June 14, 2023
SUBJECT: Homeless Service Providers.
SUMMARY: Recognizes November 2023 as Homelessness Awareness Month; and, commends
the invaluable service of our homeless service providers and their commitment to our shared
mission to end homelessness. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative
findings:
1) The homelessness crisis is a function of California’s housing crisis, and the most substantial
challenge providers face is the severe lack of affordable housing.
2) More than 171,521 people are experiencing homelessness in California today, and our
dedicated homeless service providers are working each day to help individuals and families
end their episodes of homelessness.
3) Our homeless service providers are dedicated workers from public and nonprofit
organizations driven by a mission to serve people and help our most vulnerable communities.
4) Providers deliver a range of supportive services directly to people experiencing homelessness
who are unsheltered, including outreach, street medicine, food assistance, benefit enrollment,
rapid rehousing, veteran programs, housing navigation, and many more. They deliver
services and basic needs at both congregant and noncongregant interim housing sites, as the
stability of a short stay in a safe environment will enable participants to secure affordable
housing.
5) During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, providers were implementing innovative state
programs, Project Roomkey and later Homekey, to keep our unhoused neighbors safe and
healthy, proving that their staff members are essential workers.
6) California has increased investments to support workforce numbers; however, due to
providers’ strained operating budgets and our general increases in costs of living, many of
the dedicated staff of homeless service providers earn low wages and could be on the brink of
homelessness themselves.
7) The dismaying increase of people experiencing homelessness in recent years has led
providers to shift focus and resources towards prevention programs, targeting specific at-risk
populations, such as seniors, people of color, women, youth, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
8) The state’s urgent mission of ending the homelessness crisis would be impossible without the
resilience, compassion, and dedication of everyday Californians, and this recognition should
encourage further action to improve the economic well-being of individuals dedicated to
aiding the unhoused.
9) Homelessness Awareness Month is nationally recognized in the month of November to bring
awareness to homelessness and related issues, including hunger awareness.
 HR 46
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FISCAL EFFECT: None
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
None on file
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by: Michael Erke / RLS. / (916) 319-2800