Housing Secretary Acts on Rep. Peters’ Request to Open Comment Period on Federal Homeless Funding Formula

SAN DIEGO, CA – Today, U.S. Representative Scott Peters (D, CA-52) joined Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Julian Castro as Secretary Castro announced that HUD will open a comment period in spring 2016 on revising the current formula for how federal anti-homelessness funds are allocated. In 2014, despite having the 5th largest homeless population in the country, San Diego received the 23rd most funding.

“Since coming to Congress in 2013 we’ve been fighting for San Diego to get its fair share of federal funding to help the homeless,” Peters said. “The announcement from Secretary Castro that HUD is opening the public comment period on this outdated funding formula gives us the chance to make our case. This is what we’ve been asking for and it’s a huge first step. We are very grateful to the Secretary for being responsive to our request and for his visit.”

Secretary Castro was in San Diego at Congressman Peters’ request to see first-hand the region’s approach to fighting homelessness.

Rep. Peters continued, “This news is a testament to years of hard work from numerous San Diego non-profit organizations, the San Diego Housing Commission, and local leaders who have made this issue a priority.”

In 2012, HUD proposed new rules on homelessness funding and opened a public comment period which closed in November 2012. In 2013, HUD notified Congress that it intended to reopen the comment period as it worked to develop an updated formula for federal homelessness funds. Until today, HUD had not taken any actions to honor that 2013 commitment.

Secretary Castro’s announcement was made at the end of a tour of Hotel Churchill, an affordable housing facility for homeless individuals in Downtown San Diego. At the announcement, Peters and Castro were joined by Speaker of the California Assembly Toni Atkins, San Diego City Councilmember Todd Gloria, and San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer.

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 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

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