Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s budget proposal, which was released Tuesday, allocates $362 million in Proposition HHH funding to construct 89 supportive housing projects with more than 5,600 units for people experiencing homelessness.
Voters in November 2016 passed Proposition HHH to use $1.2 billion to build 10,000 units for homeless Angelenos, more than tripling Los Angeles’ annual production of supportive housing.
Garcetti’s 2021-2022 fiscal year budget proposal allocates $362 million in Proposition HHH funding to spend on new housing projects. To date, only seven housing projects with 489 units have been built, and 44 are under construction. Garcetti’s proposal states that the additional funding will enable the continuation of construction and development for more than 5,600 units across 89 projects.
The first permanent supportive housing project funded by Prop HHH opened at 88th Street and Vermont in January 2020. Projects are currently taking between three and six years to complete and some developers have asked for extensions ranging from 42 days to more than a year, Los Angeles City Controller Ron Galperin said in September. The program has been criticized for a slow roll out amid rising homelessness in Los Angeles.
Garcetti’s budget proposal more than doubles homelessness spending compared to last year, with funding for affordable housing, homeless prevention and eviction defense, Project Roomkey hotel rooms, and the construction of new supportive housing developments.
The total amount of spending, including funds carried over from the previous fiscal year, is over $950 million dedicated to combating homelessness.
The funding includes:
— $362 million for Proposition HHH housing;
— $20 million to increase the city’s supply of affordable housing;
— $65 million, provided through a one-time state grant, to support A Bridge Home housing sites, rapid rehousing, outreach, hygiene services and other services;
— $59 million to fund the Los Angeles Homeless Services and other services and programs;
— $35 million for homeless prevention and eviction defense;
— $43 million for Project Roomkey hotels, which will be reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and will allow the city to keep funding at least 1,500 rooms; and
— $57 million for Comprehensive Cleaning and Rapid Engagement (CARE+) teams, which provide homeless encampment cleanups.