Press Releases

 Congressman Jimmy Gomez joined Rep. Barbara Lee, Rep. Maxine Waters, and Rep. Alcee Hastings in offering an amendment that would restore critical funding for the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness.

“Despite progress, there is much work to be done to tackle high rates of homelessness,” said Congressman Jimmy Gomez. “I cannot stand by as Republicans push for draconian cuts to the only agency tasked to coordinate efforts at the federal, state and local level to assist homeless individuals and communities. Over 120,000 Californians alone – many in my district – would be negatively impacted by these indiscriminate cuts.”

The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness helps to effectively and efficiently combat homelessness by coordinating the federal response to homelessness. The Council works with government, public housing agencies, homeless service providers, and local partners to better align their resources, efforts, goals, and measures of success.  

During the August recess, Congressman Jimmy Gomez met with service providers and advocates for individuals and families experiencing homelessness and visited the 50-block area in Downtown Los Angeles known as Skid Row, where thousands of homeless men and women live on the street. In the meeting, the advocates and service providers communicated that cutting the funding to the council would impact the effectiveness of their outreach and programming.

“Homeless system leaders and providers in my district have worked hard to provide homeless individuals and families a safe place to eat and sleep,” stated Congressman Jimmy Gomez. “This amendment helps keep the Council’s doors open to address the complex issue of homelessness in Los Angeles and across the nation.”