California Interagency Council on Homelessness
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| California Interagency Council on Homelessness | |
|---|---|
| Name | California Interagency Council on Homelessness |
| Formation | 2018 |
| Type | State advisory council |
| Headquarters | Sacramento, California |
| Jurisdiction | State of California |
| Parent organization | California Health and Human Services Agency |
California Interagency Council on Homelessness The California Interagency Council on Homelessness is a state-level advisory body formed to coordinate California Health and Human Services Agency efforts and align state resources to address homelessness in the United States, particularly within California. The council convenes representatives from multiple state departments, veterans' programs, and housing agencies to integrate strategies drawn from federal models such as the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, while engaging with local governments like the City of Los Angeles, County of San Francisco, and regional entities including the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
History
The council was created amid policy debates involving the Brown administration, legislative initiatives from the California State Legislature, and advocacy by organizations such as United Way, National Alliance to End Homelessness, and veterans' groups including the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Early milestones referenced the statewide strategic plans modeled after the Opening Doors federal strategy and drew on data from the annual Point-in-Time Count and reports produced by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. High-profile events influencing its formation included homelessness crises in Los Angeles County, the passage of state laws like SB 2 (2017), and court rulings involving Martin v. City of Boise.
Mission and Functions
The council’s mission aligns with directives similar to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness to reduce unsheltered populations and expand housing stability through coordination among California Health and Human Services Agency, California Department of Social Services, California Department of Housing and Community Development, and the California Department of Veterans Affairs. Functions include developing statewide strategic plans, advising the Governor of California, recommending regulatory actions under statutes such as the Homeless Emergency Aid Program, and synthesizing best practices from institutions like the Department of Housing and Urban Development and nonprofit partners such as The Salvation Army and Community Solutions.
Organizational Structure and Membership
The council is chaired by senior officials from the Governor of California's office and includes appointed members from agencies including the California Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, the California Department of Public Health, the California Office of Emergency Services, and representatives from counties such as Los Angeles County and San Diego County. Membership often comprises officials from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regional office, advocates from organizations like Coalition for the Homeless, and experts affiliated with academic institutions including the University of California, Berkeley, Stanford University, and University of Southern California. Advisory subcommittees have included stakeholders from labor groups such as the Service Employees International Union and philanthropic partners like the California Endowment.
Programs and Initiatives
Initiatives overseen or informed by the council have included coordination of funding streams for programs such as the Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council models, deployment of rapid rehousing programs used in jurisdictions like San Francisco, implementation of diversion strategies seen in King County, and pilot projects for permanent supportive housing inspired by models at Pathways to Housing. The council has promoted data integration platforms drawing on HMIS systems used in Orange County, support for veterans through alignment with the Veterans Health Administration, and partnerships for behavioral health interventions informed by work at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Funding and Budget
Budgetary oversight involves aligning state appropriations passed by the California State Legislature with federal funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Continuum of Care grants and allocations from programs like Project Roomkey and emergency appropriations following disasters coordinated with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Funding decisions consider bond measures such as Proposition 1 (2018), state budget bills negotiated with the California Department of Finance, and philanthropic contributions from foundations such as the Gates Foundation and Weingart Foundation.
Partnerships and Interagency Coordination
The council operates through formal partnerships linking state agencies to county continuums of care like those in Los Angeles County and Santa Clara County, collaborates with municipal leaders including the Mayor of Los Angeles and the San Diego Mayor's Office, and engages federal partners such as the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Health and Human Services. It coordinates with legal entities including the California Attorney General's office on enforcement and policy, convenes technical assistance from institutions like the Urban Institute and HUD Exchange, and liaises with advocacy coalitions including Housing California and National Low Income Housing Coalition.
Accountability and Performance Measurement
Performance measurement relies on metrics comparable to those used by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, including reductions in unsheltered counts from the Point-in-Time Count, housing retention rates measured by Homeless Management Information System, and outcomes for subpopulations such as veterans tracked against HUD-VASH benchmarks. The council reports progress to the Governor of California and the California State Legislature, publishes strategic updates informed by evaluations from think tanks like the RAND Corporation and academic partners at the University of California, Los Angeles, and adjusts policy recommendations in response to litigation trends exemplified by cases like Martin v. City of Boise.