SAN DIEGO – Yesterday, Representative Scott Peters (CA-52) was informed by Julián Castro, Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), that HUD is reopening the public comment period on the formula that determines federal homelessness funding no later than June 21st.

Since coming to Congress in 2013, Rep. Peters has been advocating for changes to the federal funding formula that unfairly disadvantages cities like San Diego. In 2014, despite having the fifth largest homeless population in the country, San Diego received the 23rd highest level of federal homelessness funding. The public comment period will give service organizations, housing providers, community leaders, and elected officials input on how to revise the outdated formula.

“After years of advocating for changes to this formula, it is great to have a hard deadline to reopen the public comment period and opportunity to get San Diego its fair share,” said Rep. Peters. “I appreciate Secretary Castro’s responsiveness and willingness to work with me to find a more equitable way to distribute federal homelessness resources. My staff in San Diego is already working with local stakeholders and organizations to ensure they are prepared to make their case during the public comment period to get our city the resources it needs to end homelessness."

This announcement comes on the heels of several San Diego projects receiving HUD Tier 2 Funding, which allocates money for permanent supportive housing and rapid re-housing programs. The Tier 2 projects complete the FY2015 award cycle for the Continuum of Care grant competition. Combining Tiers 1 and 2, HUD’s total award for the region is $17,859.9659 with all Tier 1 projects being funded at or above the requested amount.

Background on Congressman Peters’ Work on Homelessness:                                                                                  

• March 2013: Sent a letter to then-HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan advocating for an update to the Continuum of Care funding formula
• November 2013: Sent letter with Representatives Vargas (CA-51) and Davis (CA-53) asking for a comment period to make revisions to the funding formula
• September 2014: Sent letter to HUD Secretary Castro advocating for a funding formula update
• January 2015: Met, and advocated for an update to the funding formula, with Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs Chris O’Connor when Assistant Secretary O’Connor was in San Diego for the annual WeAllCount
• February 2015: Call with officials from HUD and the Department of Veterans Affairs to discuss ending veterans homelessness and revising the outdated federal funding formula
• May 2015: Met with Secretary Castro on Capitol Hill to discuss the funding formula disparity and to advocate for an update, and the chance for San Diego input on the process
• June 2015: Had a call with Secretary Castro to continue advocating for an update to the funding formula
• October 2015: During a visit to San Diego, Secretary Castro announced his intention to reopen public comment on the funding formula
• February 2016: Sponsored an amendment to H.R. 3700  requiring the HUD Secretary to reopen the public comment period on the Continuum of Care funding formula.