California Assembly Bill AB284

California 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/24/23
• Refer: 2/2/23
• Failed: 2/1/24

Caption

Department of Housing and Community Development: annual report: Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention program.

Impact

The changes mandated by AB 284 require the Department of Housing and Community Development to not only report on the funding and units assisted but also to include an evaluation of the HHAP program itself. This will involve a detailed analysis of the program’s performance, including the number of individuals and households served, income levels, unit distribution, and the amount of public and private funding leveraged. This enhanced reporting aims to provide a comprehensive overview of how these programs are performing and their impact on homelessness in various regions of the state.

Summary

Assembly Bill 284, introduced by Assembly Member Joe Patterson, proposes amendments to Section 50408 of the Health and Safety Code concerning the annual reporting duties of the Department of Housing and Community Development. This bill specifically focuses on the operations and accomplishments of the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) program, which is designed to provide jurisdictions with one-time grant funds to enhance local capacities for addressing homelessness effectively. The intent is to improve transparency and accountability regarding homelessness assistance efforts across California.

Contention

While the bill primarily seeks to bolster accountability, there may be potential contention around how the evaluations are conducted and interpreted. Stakeholders, including local governments and non-profit organizations involved in housing assistance, might have differing perspectives on the effectiveness of such reporting mechanisms. Some may argue that the bill ensures necessary scrutiny and funding efficacy, while others might view it as an additional bureaucratic burden that could detract from addressing immediate housing challenges.