May 15, 2019

On Homelessness & Housing Policies

Working To Get People Back Into Their Homes

As a member of the Congressional Homelessness Caucus, I am committed to working with my Democratic and Republican colleagues in a bipartisan manner to increase federal funding and resources to prevent and end homelessness in my district, California, and across the country.  

  • Increasing Federal Funding to Prevent and Address Homelessness:Together with Senator Dianne Feinstein and Congressman Ted Lieu, I introduced H.R. 1978, the Fighting Homelessness through Services and Housing Act. The bipartisan, bicameral legislation authorizes $750 million in federal grants annually for the next five years for local governments to combat homelessness through housing and other comprehensive services such as mental health care.
  • Fighting for our Homeless Veterans: I support H.R. 95, the Homeless Veterans Families Act. This bipartisan legislation helps homeless veterans with children find a safe place to live by reimbursing community housing agencies that provide services for the minor children of homeless veterans. 
  • Advocating for More Resources for Orange County: I led the Orange County Congressional Delegation in urging California Governor Gavin Newsom to increase and dedicate funding in the state budget for Orange County – specifically to support efforts to increase permanent housing options and enhance homelessness services in our communities.   
  • Working with Local Leaders to Address Homelessness: I am working with U.S. District Court Judge David O. Carterand local legislators to consider the Fairview Developmental Center in Costa Mesa as a potential site to provide care to the severely mentally ill.
  • Preventing Harmful Administration Policies: I wrote a letter to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Benjamin Carson to express concerns over the “Make Affordable Housing Work Act," which would have increased the rent for tenants and imposed work requirements. This would have had a negative effect on affordable housing in our communities.