Senator Susan Rubio Delivers Millions to Increase Affordable Housing, Tackle Homelessness, and Provide Worker Training

Monterey Park, CA – Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park), Assemblywoman Blanca E. Rubio (D-Baldwin Park), and local leaders today unveiled plans for $21 million in state funds that will help increase affordable housing, tackle the homelessness crisis, and provide worker training in the San Gabriel Valley. 

“Alleviating the housing and homelessness crisis in the San Gabriel Valley remains a top priority,” said Senator Susan Rubio. “Over the past two years, in collaboration with local leaders, we have laid the ground work for an innovative private-public partnership. With the $5.6 million I successfully secured previously, this $20 million grant will expand projects that empower our local service providers to address this crisis in the way that best fits our regional needs. In addition, $1 million will be going toward training for workers.”

“I am proud to support Senator Susan Rubio in bringing this much needed funding back to the San Gabriel Valley,” said Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio. “The lack of affordable housing and homelessness are crucial issues facing our communities and it is imperative that we act quickly to increase the supply of housing. This funding, along with money for workforce development, is a huge step in the right direction and I look forward to continuing our partnership with local leaders to ensure that sufficient resources are brought to the San Gabriel Valley.”  

“The significant state funding secured by Senator Rubio will help jumpstart our efforts to fund the construction of low-income housing projects and homeless shelters supported by host cities across the San Gabriel Valley. We truly appreciate Senator Rubio's leadership in sponsoring the state legislation establishing the housing trust and her ongoing strong support for its critically important efforts to respond regionally to the housing shortage,” said Claremont Mayor Pro Tem Jed Leano, who serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of the San Gabriel Valley Regional Housing Trust. 

“San Gabriel Valley cities last year joined together to establish a housing trust to fund and finance affordable housing developments and homeless shelters in our region,” said Becky Shevlin, President of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) and Vice Chair, San Gabriel Valley Regional Housing Trust. "The $20 million in state funding secured by Senator Rubio with the support of her San Gabriel Valley legislative colleagues will be the catalyst for the construction of affordable housing developments with funding shortfalls across our region from among the pipeline of more than 1,000 affordable housing units in various stages of entitlement in the San Gabriel Valley."

In 2019, Senator Rubio passed Senate Bill 751. It authorized the creation of the San Gabriel Valley Regional Housing Trust, a joint powers authority, and allows communities within the jurisdiction of the SGVCOG to fund housing to assist the homeless and persons of extremely low, very low, and low income. It also allowed the trust to receive public and private financing and funds for this purpose.

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Media Contact: Edward Barrera, edward.barrera@sen.ca.gov