By Gary Warth
March 13, 2026
A slate of bills addressing homelessness and housing is moving through the California Legislature, with proposals focused on funding access, prevention strategies and housing stability.
Here’s a look at several measures under consideration:
AB 1708: Prioritizing smaller cities for homelessness funding
Introduced Feb. 4 by Assemblymember José Luis Solache Jr. (D-Los Angeles), AB 1708 — known as the “Pathway to Cities Act” — is scheduled for a March 25 hearing in the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee.
The bill would require Continuums of Care (CoCs) to prioritize jurisdictions with populations under 300,000 when distributing Round 7 Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) funding.
HHAP is a state block grant program that provides flexible funding for housing, outreach and homelessness prevention, with an emphasis on regional coordination. Round 7 funding is expected to total $500 million.
Under the proposal, CoCs would initially accept applications only from smaller jurisdictions for a 30-day period. Remaining funds would then be opened to other eligible applicants.
To qualify, cities would need a compliant housing element, an adopted encampment policy and participation in regionally coordinated homelessness plans.
AB 2162: Expanding housing support for young adults
Introduced Feb. 18 by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles), AB 2162 would expand eligibility for state housing assistance programs serving young adults.
The bill would raise the age limit from 24 to 28 for participants in the Transitional Housing Program and the Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program, which help young adults — particularly those exiting foster care or probation systems — secure and maintain housing.
It would also update reporting requirements, shifting the focus to outcomes for young adults served and adding new data requirements related to housing vouchers.
The bill is scheduled for a March 25 hearing in the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee.
AB 1924: Statewide homelessness prevention strategy
Introduced by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-San Fernando Valley), AB 1924 would direct the California Housing and Homelessness Agency to develop a statewide homelessness prevention strategy and model best practices.
The bill is currently an “intent bill,” meaning it establishes a policy goal but does not yet include detailed implementation language.
It was amended March 9 and re-referred to the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee. A hearing date has not been set.
SB 1091: Preserving affordable housing, preventing displacement
Introduced by Sen. Anna Caballero (D-Merced), SB 1091 would create a Community Anti-Displacement and Preservation Program aimed at acquiring and rehabilitating market-rate housing and converting it into long-term affordable units.
The program would fund public agencies to partner with private entities to manage properties, with long-term affordability restrictions placed on units and protections to prevent displacement of current residents.
The bill is scheduled for a March 17 hearing in the Senate Housing Committee.
Big picture: The proposals reflect a growing focus in Sacramento on balancing homelessness response with prevention and housing preservation, while also addressing gaps in how funding reaches smaller communities and vulnerable populations.
What it means for San Diego
Several of the proposals could directly affect how homelessness funding and programs are delivered across the region. AB 1708, in particular, could give smaller cities like Encinitas, Escondido and others more direct access to state homelessness funding, rather than relying primarily on regional allocations. Other bills focused on prevention, youth housing and preserving existing units align with ongoing efforts in San Diego County to reduce inflow into homelessness while expanding housing and services.
