Assembly committee backs bill to open HAP funds to smaller cities

Assemblymember Salaci presented AB 17 08 to the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee as a measure to expand meaningful access to the Homelessness Assistance and Prevention (HAP) program for small and mid‑sized cities. Salaci said the bill creates a framework for regions to allocate portions of HAP round funding to smaller jurisdictions and strengthens requirements for regional collaboration.

Peggy Lemons, council member for the city of Paramount, testified that her city has “made addressing homelessness a priority,” and credited local investments with a 51% reduction in homelessness since 2022 while stressing that Paramount still lacks consistent access to state funding. Sonny Santaynes, mayor of Bellflower, said converting a warehouse into a shelter cost about $2,300,000 and that his city has spent $15,000,000 operating a shelter over six years, arguing smaller cities face disproportionate financial burdens without a clearer path to HAP funds.

Supporters including representatives of multiple small cities, county transportation authorities and housing coalitions urged the committee to advance the bill so smaller jurisdictions can participate more fully in regional homelessness solutions. Opponents in respectful opposition, including an office representing the Los Angeles mayor and a representative of the Corporation for Supportive Housing, said the bill could impose added administrative burden on HAP grantees and urged caution.

Chair (speaker 1) and committee members framed the bill as a regional fairness measure. The committee agreed to move the measure forward; the committee record shows a motion to pass and referral to the Assembly Committee on Human Services.

The bill now advances to the next committee where members said they will continue negotiating details to limit new administrative burdens while preserving the bill’s aim to expand access for smaller cities.