Senate Bill 605 aims to address housing, homelessness, and indigence by introducing various funding initiatives and program enhancements. The bill proposes an additional $5 million for housing grants to support homeless individuals and families, along with the establishment of a new emergency rental assistance program with a $10 million appropriation for tenant-based assistance. It also increases funding for grants to low- and moderate-income families to help defray housing costs by $220,000 annually. The Interagency Council on Homelessness is tasked with identifying ways to improve access to services for homeless individuals and families, while the Department of Public Instruction is required to report annually on the number of homeless children and youths in public schools.

Furthermore, the bill significantly expands civil legal services for indigent individuals by increasing funding from $500,000 to $4.5 million per fiscal year and removing the cap on individual program grants. It mandates the establishment of an Internet assistance program to help low-income individuals pay for Internet services, with a budget of $10 million per year. The bill also enhances workforce development initiatives, including increased funding for job programs and the establishment of a pilot program for job services targeting individuals receiving housing vouchers. Additionally, it includes provisions for community action agencies, opioid crisis response grants, and lead exposure interventions, ensuring comprehensive support for vulnerable populations.