Addressing Homelessness

Addressing Homelessness with Compassion and Solutions

In Congress, I’ll pursue an approach that moves people from the street to stability – with services, housing pathways, and, most importantly, accountability for results.

The evidence is clear: across regions, homelessness rises most wherehousing is most unaffordable and scarce, not because of myths about “better weather” or people moving long distances to panhandle. In California, most people experiencing homelessness are also from the communities they’re in, not “imported” from elsewhere.

I believe in a dignity first approach: people deserve safety, shelter, and a path back to stability. Homelessness and housing are inseparable; If rents outpace wages, more people fall into crisis.  Solutions have to be measurable and unding should be tied to outcomes – not just services delivered.

I support federally funded, locally run full-service navigation centers – a single front door where someone can immediately access:

  • Safe indoor space, hygiene, storage, and basic medical care

  • Case management + IDs/documents replacement

  • Benefits enrollment (Medicaid/SNAP/SSI where eligible)

  • Job placement and training connections

  • Mental health care and addiction treatment pathways, including evidence-based options

This isn’t meant to be a fix-all; in fact, these centers already exist throughout the country.  My hope is to expand these programs as a practical on-ramp off the street that reduces chaos, saves lives, and connects people to housing.  

Housing Scarcity Drives Homelessness

We need more exits to stable housing, especially for people with high needs. As a congressman, I will expand permanent supportive housing and service-linked housing options, scale rapid rehousing with case support (not just referrals) and prioritize approaches with strong evidence of improving housing stability

The fastest way to reduce homelessness is to prevent it before it starts.  For this, I plan for & will advocate in favor of:

  • Targeted emergency rental/utility assistance for people at immediate risk

  • Eviction prevention and legal supports where effective

  • Stronger discharge planning so people aren’t released from hospitals, foster care, or incarceration directly into homelessness

We can’t ignore the upstream driver: too little housing at too high a cost.
At the federal level to construct more housing, I’ll support:

  • Incentives that reward cities for faster permitting and more housing capacity

  • Infrastructure & federal grant support tied to affordable housing growth (so communities can keep up)

  • Expanded tools for affordable housing production and preservation

At the Federal level, we also need to close the rent – wage gap so full-time work means a stable home. A full-time worker shouldn’t be priced out of a basic apartment. Regional data shows the amount needed to have an apartment in our area is far above the federal minimum wage in most places. Which is why I’ll fight to raise wages and strengthen worker bargaining power & Reduce rent burdens with targeted supports for the lowest-income households