FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
August 6, 2024

CONTACT:
MayorPress@sandiego.gov

SAN DIEGO – Today, California’s Big City Mayors released the following statement in response to the executive order recently issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on the Grants Pass case: 

“As Mayors from California’s largest cities, we have been working urgently to save lives and bring our unhoused neighbors inside at unprecedented rates across California, turning the tide on this crisis that is impacting localities nationwide. Homelessness affects all of us – we see it in our neighborhoods, in front of our businesses, in front our schools and our homes. 

 “Several of our cities have seen decreases in homelessness, some for the first time in years. Our state’s capital has seen a 41% drop in unsheltered homelessness according to the most recent Point in Time Count. Together, we are moving swiftly to build and open more interim and permanent housing. We have fought hard to successfully reform our conservatorship laws to better address the mental health and substance abuse crisis. And already in each of our cities, we have ordinances on the books to resolve encampments. 

 “We know what works because we’re on the ground – we need continued resources from our federal and state partners is to make large scale impacts. We have enjoyed a positive relationship with the Biden Administration, Governor Newsom and the State Legislature, and recent success is in part due to these close partnerships. We are grateful for their continued support. Federal resources like Housing Choice Vouchers, HOME Program, and Community Development Block Grant and state resources through programs like Homekey and the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program (HHAP) are critical tools we rely upon to make real progress. The only way we’ll end homelessness is if all levels of government work together in lockstep.”  

This statement was issued jointly by the following Mayors:

·       Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass 

·       San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria 

·       San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan 

·       Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer

·       Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg 

·       Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson

·       Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao

·       Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh 

·       Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken 

·       Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln

·       Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson

·       Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan   

### 

About Big City Mayors 

The Big City Mayors is a coalition of mayors from California’s 13 largest cities with populations of more than 300,000. Member cities include Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Bakersfield, Anaheim, Stockton, Riverside, and Irvine.