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Assemblymember Luz Rivas’ Legislation to Create a Permanent Fund to Fight Homelessness Passes Its Second Policy Committee

The Bring California Home Initiative Now Proceeds to the Assembly’s Fiscal Committee

For immediate release:

SACRAMENTO, CA - Assemblywoman Luz Rivas’ historic measure to transform California’s inconsistent fiscal approach to address homelessness, AB 71, cleared the Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development today. AB 71, also known as the “Bring California Home Initiative,” establishes a first-ever permanent source of funding for long-term solutions to homelessness in the state.

“I am grateful for the incredible support my legislation has received from my Assembly colleagues so far,” said Assemblywoman Luz Rivas (D-Arleta). “This is California’s chance to take control of the homelessness crisis affecting our state’s local governments, rural and urban. Californians want the legislature to take decisive action and find solutions to address homelessness now, and this bill will get our counties and cities the funding they need to help get folks off the streets.”

AB 71 is a tax conformity bill designed to align our state tax policies to those of the federal government and will generate up to $1 billion annually. The legislation accomplishes this by closing corporate tax loopholes that allow large corporations to shift their money overseas, many of which are raking in record profits while paying no taxes, all while more Americans fall into homelessness. Stringent accountability and auditing mechanisms included in the proposed law ensure that local governments and other entities spend the allocated funds specifically for homelessness programs.

The Bring California Home Initiative transforms how our state and local governments respond to homelessness and fosters greater collaboration among state and local agencies. AB 71 provides resources for government entities and community-based partnerships to invest in strategies proven to keep Californians in their homes and help people exit homelessness faster.

"California needs a permanent source of funding to address our homelessness crisis," said Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco). "This bill gives us the resources necessary to tackle this crisis and puts strong accountability measures in place to ensure funding is used effectively."

Over 400 organizations and community leaders from throughout the state have endorsed AB 71.To find out more about the Bring California Home Coalition and to get involved, visit www.bringcahome.org.

Assemblywoman Luz Rivas proudly represents the 39th Assembly District, which includes the City of Los Angeles communities of Arleta, Lake View Terrace, Granada Hills, Mission Hills, North Hollywood, Pacoima, Sun Valley, Sunland-Tujunga, Sylmar, and the City of San Fernando.

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