LONG BEACH, Calif.- California Senator Lena A. Gonzalez, D- Long Beach, applauds Governor Newsom’s commitment to tackle some of the most critical social issues in the state by investing  in homelessness, education, healthcare, and the environment.

“I am pleased that the Governor shares my commitment to invest in affordable housing, early childhood and higher education, alleviating poverty and homelessness, expanding access to health care, extending job protections for employees that take advantage of paid family leave and promoting efforts to address the effects of climate change,” said Senator Gonzalez.

Continuing on the momentum of last year, Governor Newsom is tackling the homeless crisis head on by investing $1 billion to fight homelessness, including $750 for a new California Access to Housing and Services.

Senator Gonzalez looks forward to help secure this critical funding in the legislature and for the opportunity to work with service providers and local leaders in Senate District 33 to compete for these potential and needed resources.

For historical context, for Senate District 33, 2019 state grant allocations for homelessness included:

• Long Beach Continuum of Care: $2.23 million
• Los Angeles City & County Continuum of Care: $66.27 million
• City of Long Beach: $4.65 million
• City of Los Angeles: $117.56 million
• County of Los Angeles: $64.76 million

Long Beach benefits from funding allocations more than our other cities for two reasons. It has its own a local planning body designated by HUD to coordinate housing and funding services, and it is one of the Big 13 cities in the state to which the Governor allocated additional HEAP funding.

Other Key Highlights on the 2020-2021 budget:

• $1 billion to fight homelessness, including $750 million for a new California Access to Housing and Services Fund. The new Fund will create a structure for developing affordable housing units, supplementing and augmenting rental subsidies, and stabilizing board and care homes.
• $500 million annually for the state’s housing tax credit program and continues to support housing development on excess state lands.
• Continues to grow the reserves in the Rainy Day Fund. Overall, the Budget has $21 billion set aside in reserves.
• Expands early childhood efforts, establishes the first ever Department of Early Childhood Development and funds 10,000 additional full day/full year preschools slots.
• Expands full-scope Medi-Cal coverage to low-income undocumented Californians aged 65 and above.
• Proposes an investment of approximately $900 million in teacher training, including professional development, educator service awards, and teacher residency programs.
• Includes $300 million one-time for grants and technical assistance to prepare and implement improvement plans at the state’s lowest-performing schools, and
• Includes $300 million one-time for grants to develop community school models with innovative partnerships that support mental health and the whole child.
• Includes a 40-percent increase in state funding for school nutrition programs to boost the quality of meals provided and to expand access.
• Proposes a climate budget of $12.5 billion over the next five years to protect the state’s environment, address the effects of climate change, and promote resiliency.
• Creates the Climate Catalyst Fund to finance investments in low-carbon transportation, sustainable agriculture and waste diversion through low-interest loans.

“Over the coming months, the Senate will work closely with Governor Newsom and our Assembly counterparts to craft a fiscally responsible budget that can withstand the next economic downturn while supporting communities that are effected by the housing crisis, bringing more resources for medical and mental health services, and promoting all working class families and businesses. I look forward to working with the Governor and legislative leaders in the months ahead to build upon the proposal and bring more resources to my community,” Senator Gonzalez added.  

Senator Gonzalez represents the 33rd Senate District which includes the city of Long Beach and portions of South East Los Angeles including the cities of Bell, Bell Gardens, Cudahy, Huntington Park, Lakewood, Lynwood, Maywood, Paramount, Signal Hill, and South Gate. Senator Gonzalez lives in Long Beach with her family.

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