BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 683
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Date of Hearing: May 4, 2011
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Felipe Fuentes, Chair
AB 683 (Ammiano) - As Amended: April 12, 2011
Policy Committee: BPCP Vote:7-2
Housing 7-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Department of Housing and Community
Development (HCD) to create a statewide Homeless Integrated Data
Warehouse (HIDW), contingent on receiving sufficient federal and
private funds.
1)Requires HCD to create a statewide HIDW to compile data, as
specified, for the purpose of developing a composite portrayal
of the homeless population in the state, as well as services
currently provided to people who are homeless.
2)Encourages local agencies providing services to homeless
persons that use a Homeless Management Information System
(HMIS) to collaborate with HCD in developing the HIDW.
3)Specifies that these new duties shall be implemented only when
sufficient federal and private sector funds have been received
to create the HIDW.
FISCAL EFFECT
The Department of Housing and Community Development estimates
that it would take approximately $100,000 in grants/donations
before they would have sufficient funds to undertake and
complete the project.
COMMENTS
1)Purpose of this bill . According to the author, AB 683 would
require HCD to create a statewide HIWD to compile data
throughout California for the purpose of developing a
AB 683
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composite portrayal of the homeless population in the state,
as well as services currently provided to people who are
homeless. Collecting and analyzing data regarding
homelessness would assist the state in using its resources
more effectively and guide future state policy regarding
homelessness.
2)Background . Chronically homeless individuals and families
face health, personal and economic challenges and there is a
lack of effective coordinated services to address these
problems. The combination often leads to a vicious cycle of
housing instability and health deterioration. Health
conditions of those experiencing long-term homelessness often
prevent housing stability, while persistent homelessness
impedes access to needed health and employment services.
People who experience multiple episodes of homelessness, who
are chronically homeless, or who frequently use avoidable
crisis services use a disproportionate share of public
resources. People who are chronically homeless cycle through
costly emergency-driven public systems - emergency shelters,
emergency rooms, detoxification centers, criminal justice
facilities - without getting the ongoing care they need to
address severe mental illness, substance abuse disorders or
chronic health conditions.
Innovative approaches across the nation and within California
show promise for reducing homelessness and the resulting
impact on public services. These approaches rely on accurate
data on the homeless population and how the homeless interact
with various state programs, data that California does not
collect. Collecting and analyzing data regarding homelessness
would assist the state in using state resources more
effectively and help guide future state policy regarding
homelessness, as recognized in Goal 1.2 of California's
Ten-Year Chronic Homeless Action Plan, adopted by the state in
February 2010.
3)Related Legislation . AB 1167 (Fong) of 2011, pending in
committee, creates the Interagency Council on Homelessness and
requires various state agencies to meet quarterly to
coordinate efforts on homelessness.
AB 683
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Analysis Prepared by : Roger Dunstan / APPR. / (916) 319-2081