Assemblywoman Luz Rivas’ Statement on California’s 2021-22 Budget and Funding for Solutions to Homelessness

SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Luz Rivas (D-San Fernando Valley), member of the Assembly Budget Committee, has issued the following statement on the State’s 2021-2022 budget:

“California’s comeback is here,” said Assemblywoman Luz Rivas. “Thanks to an unprecedented $75 billion budget surplus, the Legislature approved a transformative and expansive budget that bolsters every aspect of our state’s shared values. Our state is ready to confront the challenges of a post-pandemic world head-on as we reinvest in the middle class, uplift California’s poorest, better prepare our state for our increasingly devastating fires, expand and enhance our education system, as well as address our growing homelessness crisis.

Additionally, I am thrilled that the Governor has agreed to retain $1 billion dollars in ongoing support for local governments to fund solutions to homelessness. Through this historic budget allocation, we achieved AB 71’s goal to empower local municipalities’ efforts to tackle our homelessness crisis head-on, with stringent accountability measures also in place. Governments throughout California, both rural and urban, can use these funds for local programs such as rental assistance, increasing housing accessibility, and connecting our unhoused population with any treatment they may need. With this new fund, I am confident we can begin the work to curb our escalating homelessness crisis.

Furthermore, this year’s budget addresses several key priorities to ensure an equitable recovery for all Californians, including:

• $600 stimulus checks for individuals and households making up to $75,000 a year, regardless of citizenship status.
• More than $10 billion in funding to confront our growing homelessness crisis, including an ongoing commitment of $1 billion annually to local governments.
• Over $8 billion dollars to combat wildfires, extreme heat, our ongoing drought, and climate change.
• $650 million for universal school meals so no child suffers through hunger.
• The creation of Universal Transitional Kindergarten to better prepare our children for school.
• $1.5 billion in additional funding for small business relief.
• Billions in funding to ensure broadband access for all and to close the digital divide.

This budget is our chance to create a bold and sustainable future that gives everyone the chance to thrive in our great Golden State. I want to thank our Budget Chairs Phil Ting and Nancy Skinner, all of our Budget Subcommittee Chairs and staff, and the Governor for their incredible work in delivering this momentous budget to build a new, post-pandemic, path forward for California.”

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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