What is this bill about?
AB 678 requires the California Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal-ICH) to develop and recommend best practices and policies for ensuring LGBTQ+ individuals receive culturally competent, safe, and affirming services when accessing state-funded housing and homelessness programs.
How does it align with yli’s values?
LGBTQ+ people experience homelessness and housing insecurity at disproportionately high rates compared to the general population. LGBTQ+ youth are 120% more likely to experience homelessness than their non-LGBTQ+ peers, and nearly one in three transgender adults have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives.
Once unhoused, LGBTQ+ residents often face additional challenges when trying to access shelter and supportive services. Many report experiencing harassment, violence, and discrimination in shelters and housing programs. Transgender people, in particular, face a high risk of harassment and violence, forcing many to avoid shelters altogether.
yli partners with thousands of youth across the state, the majority of whom are low-income youth of color and we know that safe and stable housing is fundamental to wellbeing and healthy development.
AB 678 takes critical steps toward addressing these barriers by requiring Cal-ICH to collaborate with LGBTQ+ advocates and service providers to identify best practices and develop inclusive, culturally competent policies for state-funded homelessness programs. This policy aligns with our Economic and Gender Justice Platforms.
What is yli doing about it?
We have just submitted a letter endorsing this bill, and we are showing our support on Facebook and Instagram.
Who else supports this bill?
- Equality California (Co-Sponsor)
- SAGE (Co-Sponsor)