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Rep. Harder Bill Tackles Central Valley Homelessness

March 28, 2019

WASHINGTON, DC – Representative Josh Harder today announced a bipartisan bill to tackle the Central Valley homelessness crisis. There are thousands of people in Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties experiencing homelessness and hundreds left on the street every day.

Harder's Fighting Homelessness Through Services and Housing Act combats the homelessness crisis at the local level by establishing new funding to address root causes of the crisis like mental illness, addiction and poverty.

"Every single person in the Central Valley deserves a roof over their head and a consistent safe place to call home," said Harder. "But there are too many in our community who are on the streets or in homeless camps. It's not right, and we have to do something to help. Our bill combats this crisis head-on with robust funding and a 21st century approach to help get people back on their feet."

The Fighting Homelessness Through Services and Housing Act directs $750 million in grant funding to local governments. It provides robust funding for new emergency housing, as well as comprehensive services, including mental health care, substance abuse treatment, and job training services.

As part of his effort to address homelessness, Harder recently toured the Modesto Gospel Mission and the Beard Brook Park camp, and is engaging in ongoing dialogue with leaders and residents across the Central Valley to understand local perspectives on the challenge.

Harder is an original co-sponsor of the Fighting Homelessness Through Services and Housing Act. The bill was introduced by Senators Feinstein (D-CA) and Murkowski (R-AK) and Representatives Lieu (D-CA) and Stivers (R-OH). Senators Gillibrand (D-NY), Klobuchar (D-MN), Bennet (D-CO), Smith (D-MN), Hirono (D-HI), Cortez-Masto (D-NV), Harris (D-CA), and Representatives Peters (D-CA), Correa (D-CA), Young (R-AK), Costa (D-CA) have also co-sponsored the legislation.

Issues:Homelessness