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7.B. - Page 12 --Chapter 833, Statutes af 2007(SB 2)� Homeless Needs Homelessness in Califorr�ia is a continuing and growing crisis. Qn any givan day, there are at feast 361,0�0 homeless individuals in California - or 1.1 �ercent of the 5tate's tota� population. Of this number, two-thirds are estimated to be single adults, while the other thircl are famiiies. Same 30 percent of California's homeless - 1�8,000- are so-called "chranic" homeless who have been homeless for six months or more. This population tends to be comprised of single adults who face such obstacles as rrter�tal illrtess, substance abuse problems and chranic physical health problems or disabifties that pre�enf them from working. Homeless individuals and famifies are without }�ermanent housing largely because of a lack of affordable housEng, often compounded by limit�d education or skills, m�ntal i[Iness and substance abuse issues, domestic �iolence and thte lack of family or other support networks.� Califarnia's homel�ssness crisis dernands the effective involvement of both the public and pri�ate sectors. A housing element can b� an �ffecti�e and powerful taal in combating hamelessness. Passage of SB 2 strength�ned the law ta i�crease its effecti�eness in ad�ressing �he needs of California's homeless population. The upcoming housing element update presents an important opportunifiy to make ending homefessness a critical priority. Purpose and 4bjectives of SB 2 The framework of SB 2 resulted from a coliaborati�e effort by key stakeholders including housing and homeiess ad�ocates and providers, local governments, planners, and the building industry. SB 2 strengthens existing hausing eEement requirements to provide the opportunity for the de�elapment of emergency shelters and transitional ar�cf supportive I�ousing. SB 2 ensures zoning, de�elopment and management standards and permit proce�ures encourage emergency shelters while aifawing f�exibility for existing local sfrategies and cooperative effor#s. SB 2 focuses on t�e impacts of zoning rec�uirements on the development of emergency sf�elters. While the new statute req�ires fhat every local government znne for the de�elopment of emergency shelters, it does not restrict how local gavernments allocate resources to address local priority needs. For example, no#�ing in SB 2 prohibits cammunities from alsa adop#ing a "Hausing First" strategy to provi�e homeless persnns with housing immediately and then providing services as neec[ed. ' Governor's Inferagency Task Force on Homelessness, Progress Report and Work Plan far2003. Health and Human Services Agency and Business, Transpartation and Housing Ageney, December 2002 State Department of Hausing -5- May 2�08 arrd Communffy Developmenf