Assemblymember Kevin McCarty Introduces Legislation to Address Sacramento County’s Homelessness Crisis
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D – Sacramento) introduced legislation that will make a generational investment into ending homelessness across the state and expand California’s homeless youth emergency services project to provide additional support for homeless youth in Sacramento County.
At any point throughout the year, the homeless population in Sacramento County ranges from 5,000 to 7,500 people. In the last 2 years, Sacramento County has seen an 85% increase among individuals and families who are unsheltered and sleeping outdoors. The homeless crisis significantly impacts thousands of families and youth. Homeless youth experience rape and assault rates 3 times higher than the general population and are less likely to pursue their education or career ambitions, maintain gainful employment, and navigate other life transitions related to their changing status as adults. Investing in ending youth homelessness is a key to ending chronic homelessness.
AB 2602 would award matching grant funds to agencies in Sacramento County that provide emergency housing services to homeless youth. AB 2602 would significantly increase Sacramento County’s ability to provide homeless youth with access to safe emergency shelters, counseling and additional wrap around services.
Additionally, McCarty joined Assemblymember Phil Ting (D – San Francisco) in introducing AB 3171 - the Homeless Persons Services Block Grant - which will address the California homeless crisis head-on with a $1 billion immediate infusion for cities like Sacramento and West Sacramento to build shelter beds and supportive housing units. This generational effort will be the largest single investment in California history to help cities end homelessness.
“Sacramento County’s housing and homelessness crisis is real and disproportionately harms young people throughout our region,” said Assemblymember Kevin McCarty. “These critical measures will provide Sacramentans experiencing homelessness with help and hope needed to become productive members of our community.”
These measures will be considered by the California State Assembly in the spring of 2018.
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Kevin McCarty represents California’s 7th Assembly District, which include the cities of Sacramento, West Sacramento and unincorporated Sacramento County. McCarty serves as Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance.
