Padilla Announces Legislation to Address Affordable Housing and Homelessness Crises

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) announced comprehensive legislation to address the affordable housing and homelessness crises in California and across the country. The Housing for All Act of 2022 would invest in proven solutions to address critical affordable housing shortages and provide a surge of funding for strategic, existing programs to reduce homelessness as well as for innovative, locally-developed solutions to help those experiencing homelessness. Representatives Ted Lieu and Salud Carbajal (both D-Calif.) will lead the introduction of companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

Padilla announced the legislation today with local leaders and advocates at La Mancha Way Apartments, a Project Homekey site in Sacramento. The site operates in an innovative partnership with the Sacramento Housing Redevelopment Agency to purchase hotels and motels that can be rehabilitated into permanent, long-term housing for people experiencing homelessness. The investments in the Housing For All Act would build on these creative solutions that cities and states in California have successfully developed.

The National Low-Incoming Housing Coalition estimates that the United States has a shortage of 6.8 million affordable homes available to low-income renters. In California, more than 1.4 million units are needed to address the affordable housing shortage, and more than 161,000 people experience homelessness in the state each night -- including families with young children, veterans, and victims of domestic violence. Prior to the pandemic, one in four renters spent half of their monthly income on rent, and nearly one million tenants were evicted each year.

"Every person has a right to the dignity and security of housing," said Senator Padilla. "As we continue to face historic affordable housing and homelessness crises, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, it's going to take all levels of government working together to rebuild a more inclusive and equitable society for all. This legislation is an opportunity to invest and align resources in expanding affordable housing and strengthening proven solutions. Affordable housing is essential infrastructure, and that's why I am proud to introduce the Housing for All Act of 2022 to ensure that every person has a place to call home."

"Homelessness remains a persistent and difficult problem in Los Angeles and in communities around the country," said Congressman Lieu. "The pandemic only worsened the economic and societal factors that contribute to homelessness, which is why it is so important that we address this issue head-on now. Homelessness is a complicated challenge that requires a multi-faceted approach. I'm pleased to be Senator Padilla's partner on this comprehensive legislation to address the affordable housing shortage and support proven, community-driven solutions to homelessness."

"I'm grateful to Senator Padilla for his leadership and attention to California's -- and the nation's -- affordability crisis," said California Governor Gavin Newsom. "California has stepped up big with $22 billion for housing and homelessness, but no state can do it alone. We need Washington, DC to match our urgency and increase their financial commitment to solving this existential crisis."

The Housing for All Act of 2022 would invest in proven solutions by:

Addressing the affordable housing shortage by investing in the National Housing Trust Fund, the HOME Investment Partnerships program, the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program, and the Section 811 Supportive Housing for People with Disabilities.
Addressing the homelessness crisis by investing in Housing Choice Vouchers, Project-Based Rental Assistance, the emergency solutions grant program (which helps with street outreach, rapid re-housing assistance, emergency shelter, and homelessness prevention), and Continuums of Care.
Supporting innovative, locally developed approaches to these crises by investing in hotel and motel conversions to permanent supportive housing with supportive services; investing in the Eviction Protection Grant Program; investing in mobile crisis intervention teams to help those with medical or psychological needs avoid the criminal justice system; investing in libraries that support people experiencing homelessness; investing in programs that offer a safe place to park overnight and facilitate access to rehousing services and essential services; and investing in inclusive, transit-oriented development and infill development.
A section-by-section of the Housing for All Act is available HERE.

"I am thrilled that my bill, the Naomi Schwartz Safe Parking Program Act, is advancing in the U.S. Senate as a part of Senator Alex Padilla's Housing for All Act," said Congressman Carbajal. "This comprehensive legislation package will help us address the core issues of homelessness and affordable housing in California and across the nation," said Rep. Carbajal. "I'm proud to join Representative Ted Lieu to introduce this legislation in the House. It will be another step toward our goal of ensuring every American has a roof over their head."

"As the Mayors of some of California's largest and most populated cities, we are all grappling with the housing and homelessness crisis and are excited to see such strong leadership on this issue from our Senator. The "Housing for All Act of 2022" would invest in proven solutions to housing shortages, fund programs that have been proven to reduce homelessness, and strengthen innovative, locally-developed programs to appropriately engage with those experiencing homelessness."

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