AJR 43 emphasizes the dire situation faced by over 55,000 people who are homeless in Los Angeles County alone. It highlights that the vast majority of cities and counties in California have not been able to provide the necessary housing developments to keep up with population growth. The resolution points out the potential consequences of cuts to housing programs, suggesting they could lead to increased homelessness and financial strain on the most vulnerable populations. Currently, many residents depend on federal housing choice voucher subsidies, with significant portions of federal assistance going to the elderly.
Assembly Joint Resolution 43 (AJR 43), introduced by Assembly Member Bloom, addresses the growing affordable housing crisis in California. The resolution calls upon state Congressional Representatives to express their concerns regarding proposed fiscal cuts to essential housing programs established by the federal Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. This legislative measure aims to protect federal funding and assistance vital for low-income families, the elderly, and individuals experiencing homelessness in the state.
Critically, AJR 43 seeks to rally support against the Making Affordable Housing Work Act of 2018, which could exacerbate the housing situation by forcing low-income tenants to pay a larger proportion of their income towards rent and enabling local housing authorities to impose work requirements on subsidy recipients. Notably, this aspect raises concerns about the impact on working families and those with health challenges, indicating a clash between fiscal constraints and the needs of disadvantaged groups. The resolution portrays cuts to these programs not just as policy changes but as a threat to the social safety net necessary for community stability.