ASSEMBLYWOMAN QUIRK-SILVA’S HOUSING BILLS BECOMES LAW

SACRAMENTO, CA – Assembly Bills (AB) 139 and 143 authored by Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (Orange County), focused on California’s housing and homelessness crisis, has been signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom.

“California has the highest rate of homelessness in the nation.  Recent statistics show that throughout our state, we have seen an increase in the number of homeless individuals,” said Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva.  “Since 2017, homeless is up by forty-two percent in Orange County.  To resolve this crisis, we need an array of innovative strategies including both short and long term solutions.”

With my Assembly Bill 139 California will update their Housing Element implementing targeted strategies to long-term permanent housing for California’s homeless population. Furthermore, AB 143 expands emergency housing to include homeless shelters and permanent supportive housing when Orange County, the cities within Orange County, the County and Cities of Alameda, and the City of San Jose, as well as other Counties and Cities already included in current law, declare a shelter crisis.

These bills provide our local cities and county a tool to address our homelessness crisis based on their specific needs.  Legislation, combined with a number of specific local budget requests that were granted in the State budget, has laid the foundation for all of us to work together to tackle our housing crisis.

“The Assembly and Governor Newsome have tackled many of California’s most challenging problems this past legislative session,” said Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva. “I am looking forward to continue to work with the Governor to bring solutions to our homelessness crisis as we move forward in the next legislative and budget year.”