Last year, as a result of the Governor’s strategies to address the housing and homelessness crisis, California’s unsheltered homelessness fell by 9.5% for the first time in more than 15 years. While other states and the nation as a whole see homelessness rising, California is reversing a decades-long crisis.
By Purushottam Dhakal, LOS ANGELES:- California’s Native American communities have been allocated $38.2 million for housing and homelessness solutions that meet the unique needs of their communities.
Governor Gavin Newsom says, “California is strengthening partnerships with Indigenous governments. Indigenous communities know their people, their history, and their challenges best. This government-to-government approach is designed to address historical disparities, honor Indigenous sovereignty, and support efforts to reduce homelessness and help more Californians get off the streets and into safe, stable housing.”
A total of $28.5 million was awarded to sixty-eight federally recognized tribes through the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s (HCD) Tribal Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (Tribal HHAP) Round 4 program. The program provides flexible funding to tribal governments, enabling them to implement unique, culturally responsive interventions to prevent and end homelessness within their communities.
“We secured this grant to address homelessness and housing instability in our community,” said Angela Elliott-Santos, Chair of the Manzanita Band of the Coomey Nation. “Through this funding, the Tribe will be able to provide safe, culturally supportive interim shelter to individuals experiencing homelessness. We are committed to advancing Indigenous sovereignty and helping Indigenous people meet the unique needs of their communities.”
Tribal governments have faced historical disinvestment and barriers to accessing both state funding and traditional financing for affordable housing. Created with tribal sovereignty and self-determination in mind, the Tribal HHAP and other investments in tribal communities aim to remove barriers and increase access to housing resources. Since 2019, California has provided approximately $330.3 million to tribal governments through HCD programs.
“The Tribal HHAP and Tribal Home strengthen Indigenous communities by removing long-standing barriers and honoring their sovereign, community-driven approaches to housing,” said Tomiquia Moss, Secretary of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency.
Remember, since its inception, the Indigenous HHAP has served more than 3,325 people from Indigenous communities. Nearly $15 million has been invested in permanent housing solutions that have led to the construction or renovation of 319 permanent housing units, providing homes for more than 636 people from Indigenous communities. More than $34 million has been invested in youth homelessness interventions, serving more than 758 youth experiencing homelessness. Under Governor Newsom’s leadership, HCD has increased the number of Indigenous governments receiving Indigenous HHAP funding by 83% since the previous round and by 330% since the first round of Indigenous HHAP funding.
“HCD is proud to work hand in hand with our Indigenous partners to advance programs that break down historic barriers to affordable housing finance,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez. “Through programs built around Indigenous sovereignty, we have the flexibility to provide funding for housing and homelessness solutions that enable Indigenous peoples to better address the unique needs of their members.”
In addition to the Tribal HHAP awards, the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of Stewarts Point Rancheria was awarded approximately $9.7 million for the Kashia Windsor Housing Project under the new Tribal HomeKey+ program funded by voter-approved Proposition 1. The funding will provide 22 affordable rental homes for people at risk of homelessness. The majority of tribal members reside in Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake and Napa counties.
In addition to today’s announcement, Governor Newsom is creating a structural and fundamental model across the state that will have a positive impact for generations to come.
The Governor is streamlining and prioritizing new housing construction, funding new shelters, housing and supports through voter-approved Proposition 1, addressing mental health and its impact on homelessness, and creating new pathways for those most in need through updated guardianship laws and a new CARE court system.
Last year, as a result of the Governor’s strategies to address the housing and homelessness crisis, California’s unsheltered homelessness fell by 9.5% for the first time in more than 15 years. While other states and the nation as a whole see homelessness rising, California is reversing a decades-long crisis.