U.S. Rep. Ted W. Lieu (D-Torrance) and Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) are leading an effort with 25 members of the California delegation to vocalize support for California’s $1 billion in annual, ongoing funding for local jurisdictions to address homelessness. In a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom, the members also expressed their endorsement of programs to supplement California’s efforts to address homelessness with federal resources.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2020 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, California’s homeless population increased by nearly 7% early last year to an estimated 161,548 prior to the pandemic. In Los Angeles County, the number jumped 13% over the same period to 66,436.

“Ongoing funding will help ensure a comprehensive solution to this crisis … The federal government is eager to partner in this endeavor,” the members wrote.