Project Roomkey.

Existing law establishes the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention program for the purpose of providing jurisdictions, as defined, with one-time grant funds to support regional coordination and expand or develop local capacity to address their immediate homelessness challenges, as specified. In March 2020, the California Department of Social Services established Project Roomkey to coordinate with local agencies and nonprofits to provide shelter options to homeless persons recovering from, or exposed to, COVID-19. This bill would require each city, county, or city and county to make every effort to ensure that individuals housed pursuant to Project Roomkey do not return to homelessness. The bill would require each city, county, or city and county to develop a plan to accomplish that result, and would specify the criteria the city, county, or city and county must consider in developing the plan. This bill would declare the intent of the Legislature to ensure that adequate and ongoing resources and supports are provided to local governments to ensure the success of homelessness prevention programs implemented at the local level, and to ensure adequate accountability metrics. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.