California budget allocates $100M for homeless funding and $500M for HAP grant program

During the recent City of Carlsbad Legislative Subcommittee meeting held on July 8, 2025, significant discussions centered around the city’s budget allocations and legislative updates related to housing and homelessness. The meeting highlighted the city’s commitment to addressing pressing social issues, particularly the challenges posed by homelessness.

A key focus of the budget was the allocation of $100 million specifically designated for homeless encampment resolution funding. This funding aims to provide resources for addressing the needs of the homeless population in Carlsbad. Additionally, the budget included $500 million for the seventh round of the Housing Assistance Program (HAP) grant, which is notably half the amount allocated in previous years. This reduction raises questions about the city’s capacity to support housing initiatives moving forward.

The meeting also addressed the implementation of Proposition 36, with an allocation of $100 million this year. This funding is intended to support the goals of the proposition, which focuses on improving housing conditions and addressing homelessness.

In terms of legislative updates, the subcommittee discussed Assembly Bill (AB) 130, which includes statutory changes to facilitate the implementation of the Budget Act, particularly concerning housing and homelessness. This bill encompasses two significant measures: AB 306, which imposes a six-year moratorium on local governments' ability to adopt or amend building standards beyond those established in the California Building Standards Code, and AB 609, which provides a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption for qualifying infill housing projects.

The criteria for qualifying projects under AB 609 include stipulations that the project site must be no larger than 20 acres (or 5 acres for builders' remedy projects), must have been previously developed with urban uses, and must be located within an incorporated municipality or urban area. Furthermore, projects submitted after January 1 of this year cannot include any portion designated for use as a hotel, motel, or bed and breakfast.

These discussions reflect the city’s ongoing efforts to navigate the complexities of housing development and homelessness, emphasizing the need for strategic funding and legislative support. As the city moves forward, the implications of these budgetary and legislative decisions will be crucial in shaping the future of housing and homelessness solutions in Carlsbad. The subcommittee's next steps will likely involve monitoring the effectiveness of these initiatives and addressing any emerging challenges.