Mayors of California’s largest cities warn that funding loss will set back homelessness progress

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, along with top leaders from California’s largest cities, are calling on state lawmakers to continue critical funding to address homelessness, warning that any potential loss of resources in next year’s budget would harm communities and reverse some of the progress made in the ongoing crisis.

In a letter to State Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire, Big Cities Mayors — a coalition of mayors from California’s 13 largest cities — estimated the loss of more than 6,500 shelter beds and a reduction in outreach services in the most populous areas if the state does not extend funding for the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) program.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has pushed for greater accountability and progress from local j