Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits citizens' right to appeal the building of homeless navigation centers.

Highlights:

• Defines “Low Barrier Navigation Center” as a housing first, low barrier, service-enriched shelter focused on moving people into permanent housing, that provides temporary living facilities while case managers connect individuals experiencing homelessness to the following, including, but not limited to (Sec. 7):

• Income;

• Public benefits;

• Health services;

• Shelter; and

• Housing.

• Specifies that the local jurisdiction shall permit the building of a Low Barrier Navigation Center and prohibit any appeals from being brought against the development if the center is constructed in a way that (Sec. 7): 

• Offers services to connect people to permanent housing through a services plan identifying staffing;

• Is linked to a coordinated entry system so that staff can conduct assessments and provide services to connect people to permanent housing; and

• Has a system for entering information regarding client stays, client demographics, client income, and exit destination.

• Specifies that local governments and county jurisdictions have 12 months to comply with the above mentioned requirements and if found to not meet the requirements, will be subject to the following fines, including (Sec. 8):

• A minimum fine of $10,000 per month for the first 3 months following a year of noncompliance;

• A fine of $100,000 per month for the next 3 months following 15 months of noncompliance; and

• A fine of up to but not exceeding $600,000 per month for each month following 18 months of noncompliance.

• Appropriates $650 million to the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Program administered by the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency for the purpose of expanding and developing local capacity in addressing homelessness challenges (Sec. 10).

• Appropriates $250 million to the Local Government Planning Support Grants Program in order to measure housing needs for local governments and regional bodies and develop plans to provide more housing options (Sec. 10).

Full Bill Text