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Big Bear Lake council votes 4-1 to support AB 1708 pathway for homeless assistance funds
Summary
The council authorized a mayor-signed letter supporting Assembly Bill 1708 to expand a pathway for cities under 300,000 to access Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention funds; the motion passed 4-1 with Council Member Hicks recording the sole no vote.
The Big Bear Lake City Council voted 4-1 to authorize a letter of support for Assembly Bill 1708 (the Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention Program, HAP, Pathways for Cities Act), a proposal staff said would create a clearer application window for smaller cities to apply for state homelessness funding.
Jessica Levesch, the city’s economic development analyst, summarized the bill and the intended effect: "AB 1708 would create a new pathway for small and medium sized cities to access existing state homelessness funding while requiring clear accountability metrics aligned with state goals," she said. Levesch told the council the bill would require Continuums of Care to accept 30-day applications from cities with populations under 300,000 and that eligibility would require compliance with the regional action plan, a compliant housing element and an encampment policy.
Council debate focused on two themes: opportunity versus obligation. Supporters, including Mayor Putz and other councilmembers, framed the letter as a low-risk way to keep an option open for future grant applications and emphasized Cal Cities affiliation as helpful advocacy leverage. “Any opportunity we have for this community to have the possibility of more money flowing this way I’m in favor of,” Councilmember Rick said during discussion.
Opponents raised concerns about state oversight and potential loss of autonomy. One councilmember questioned whether accepting the program’s application requirements could constrict local control over homelessness policy; that member ultimately cast the lone no vote (Council Member Hicks).
Public comment was split. Resident Ted Tremend told the council the city needs to "do everything we can to take care of all of our residents" and urged support, describing local signs of economic distress. Another speaker, Dan Gilbranson, criticized state programs and expressed distrust of nonprofits and grant processes.
On roll call Mayor Pro Tem Segovia, Council Members Herrick, Melnick and Mayor Putz voted yes; Council Member Hicks voted no. The motion authorized the mayor to sign a letter of support; staff said the city is not obligated to apply for or accept any funding if it later chose not to.
The council’s letter is a policy-level expression of support and does not bind the city to participate in any future grant program without subsequent council approval.
