Assemblywoman Luz Rivas’ Homelessness Funding and Transparency Accountability Act to Combat Homelessness is Signed into Law

SAN FRANCISCO – Today, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 799 by Assemblywoman Luz Rivas’ (D-San Fernando Valley) to strengthen the state’s efforts to combat homelessness by tracking the funding directed towards and reporting the outcome of statewide homeless programs.

“Since being elected, I have worked to reform how the state tackles homelessness. I am grateful for the partnership between the Governor and the Legislature’s ongoing efforts to address homelessness. I applaud the Governor for his signature on AB 799 to create greater transparency and accountability over the state’s funding efforts to address the homelessness crisis. By requiring stringent data tracking and reporting, the state will acquire a clearer picture of the effectiveness of the programs receiving funding to refine state strategies to reduce homelessness,” said Assemblywoman Luz Rivas.

The 2024 Auditor’s Report on Homelessness in California found that the state lacks essential information on its homeless programs' ongoing costs and outcomes. Under existing law, the California Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal ICH) is not required to report data regarding its efforts to prevent and end homelessness. AB 799 implements the State Auditor’s recommendations by requiring Cal ICH to implement robust layers of reporting requirements for fiscal and outcome data of state homelessness programs. It creates a funding guide for local agencies to maximize the state dollars allocated to best serve their community’s needs. The bill also adds tribal representation to the Council.

“While local governments must be held accountable, we also need to provide them with ongoing funding to ensure the longevity of the homelessness reduction programs they’re implementing to meet the reduction targets the state is setting. I am hopeful that AB 799 will provide much-needed accountability to ensure that future legislators can secure the ongoing funding that I have advocated for over the last six years if we are truly going to see the reductions in homelessness that the public expects,” said Assemblywoman Luz Rivas.