Seaside Homeless Commission asks city to press lawmakers to restore state 'homeless hiring' tax credit

The Seaside Homeless Commission on July 1 voted to ask the City Council to send a letter supporting reinstatement of a California "homeless hiring" tax credit.

Chair Benjamin Strickland moved the measure after public comment from a resident with recent experience of homelessness. "As when I did my taxes recently, I found that there was a tax credit that the state offers called the homeless hiring tax credit," said Michael Enriquez, who told the commission he has been living in a vehicle for more than a year. Enriquez said the credit appears set to expire at the end of 2026 and told commissioners it requires a "minimum of 500 worked in the tax year" for an employer to claim the credit.

Staff offered to research the program and whether advocacy fits the city's existing legislative platform; staff member Gary told the commission he could bring back a briefing at the next meeting. "If that fits into the existing parameters of the legislative platform, the city can submit a letter of support for reinstating that tax credit," Gary said. Chair Strickland then moved that the commission encourage the City Council to write such a letter. The motion was seconded, opened for public comment and carried by voice vote.

Why it matters: Supporters said the credit could create jobs for people experiencing homelessness without relying solely on local funding; commissioners and staff framed the request as an advocacy step that the City Council could take if it fits Seaside's legislative priorities.

What happens next: Staff will research the tax-credit program and report back in a future meeting; if staff determines the request fits the city's legislative platform, the city manager or an ad hoc committee could ask the council to send a letter on the commission's behalf.