WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) announced that 73 California public housing agencies are eligible for over $250 million in Emergency Housing Vouchers. The American Rescue Plan Act allowed the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to allocate additional vouchers to these public housing agencies. Padilla voted to pass the American Rescue Plan and President Joe Biden signed it into law in March.

“I supported the American Rescue Plan because it recognized we need a comprehensive approach to our economic recovery,” said Senator Padilla. “I’m proud to announce that the American Rescue Plan has made an additional $250 million in Emergency Housing Vouchers available to California public housing agencies. Addressing the housing crisis has to be a major priority as we rebuild and recover from the pandemic. For the family living paycheck-to-paycheck, or those at risk in their current living situation, access to affordable housing is pivotal to their safety and long-term stability.”

A breakdown of estimated Emergency Housing Funding available to California public housing agencies is available here.

These Emergency Housing Vouchers are provided to help assist those who are:

• experiencing homelessness, 
• at risk of homelessness, 
• recently homeless, or
• fleeing—or attempting to flee—domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking

HUD directs Emergency Housing Vouchers, through a formula, to areas where eligible populations have the greatest need, while also considering public housing agency capacity and ensuring geographic diversity, including rural areas.

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