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Stakeholders urged continued HAP funding, youth set‑aside, CalHome, civic media and disaster assistance during public comment
Summary
During public comment, providers, advocates and media organizations urged the Senate to restore or increase HAP funding (including an $80 million ongoing youth set‑aside), to continue CalHome, to expand disaster recovery support for wildfire survivors, and to fund civic media; multiple speakers described direct service impacts and requested more rapid disbursement of funds.
Public comment at the end of the subcommittee hearing featured a range of stakeholders who urged the Legislature to prioritize homelessness and housing programs in the final budget.
Speakers representing homeless service providers and advocacy groups asked the subcommittee to support restoring HAP funding to $1 billion and to create an ongoing $80 million youth set‑aside. Providers described service cuts caused by prior funding reductions; one speaker said their youth shelter had to close daytime services after budget cuts. Several college‑age speakers and formerly unhoused youth described personal experiences and urged ongoing youth funding.
Housing advocates and organizations urged continued funding for CalHome and other affordable housing programs, while public media advocates asked the Legislature to add $10 million to the governor’s proposed $10 million civic media fund to support local and ethnic news outlets. Disaster recovery advocates called for stronger rebuilding support for wildfire survivors.
Speakers included representatives from the Coalition for Public Media, Habitat for Humanity California, John Burton Advocates for Youth, Student Homes Coalition, Lendistry, the California Housing Partnership and numerous local service providers and formerly unhoused individuals. The subcommittee closed public comment and adjourned with multiple items held open for further consideration.
