An estimated 151,000 California residents are currently experiencing homelessness. Driven by astronomical housing costs, a statewide income disparity that is one of the highest in the country, and the COVID-19 pandemic’s stranglehold on our economy, the ranks of this highly-vulnerable population only continue to grow. City- and county-based efforts, as well as state-backed initiatives like Project Homekey, have found moderate success, but they’re far from the panacea needed for the systemic challenges faced by our state. However, a new assembly bill known as the “Bring California Home Act”, or AB 71, has the potential to affect radical and lasting change. The bill, currently progressing through the legislature, proposes a new tax increase on large corporations that advocates believe will bring in more than $2.4 billion a year to combat homelessness. Join us to learn more about how AB 71 works, where the revenue would go and how it could radically improve the lives of tens of thousands of Californians.
+ Gail Gilman / All Home
+ JR Starrett / Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California
+ Sharon Rapport / Corporation for Supportive Housing
+ Peter Radu / City of Oakland