This past spring has been a season of powerful advocacy and considerable progress, thanks to the dedicated efforts of Brilliant Corners and our dynamic External Affairs team. We have been at the forefront of activism, championing bills and initiatives designed to make a real difference in the communities we serve. From federal to local levels, our team has relentlessly pushed for change, and we are excited to share our journey with you.
Federal Advocacy
Project-Based Vouchers: DC Advocacy
Brilliant Corners Chief Strategic Partnerships Officer, Sabrina Gillan, recently visited Washington, DC to advocate for an increase in Project Based Vouchers. Project Based Vouchers are a critical source for spurring housing development. Currently, Project Based Vouchers have reached their limit in Los Angeles, which means that PBVs have already been granted for current and future housing developments. Sabrina joined a group of coalition partners in DC, including representatives from The People Concern, LA Family Housing, and the office of LA Mayor Karen Bass, to advocate for an increase in the percentage of Project Based Vouchers available to communities that have utilized tenant-based vouchers to the best of their ability, with some additional allowances for special populations.
State-Level Engagement
The External Affairs team has been active in Sacramento this spring doing some much-needed advocacy at the state level.
CSH & BCH Advocacy Day
A group of Brilliant Corners staff participated in Corporation for Supportive Housing and the Bring California Home Coalition’s Advocacy Day in Sacramento, CA, to support several key bills. Participants included representatives from Brilliant Corners’ External Affairs, Case Management, Breaking Barriers, and Flex Pool teams. Legislative visits focused on advocating for an increased allocation to the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Program (HHAP), as well as endorsing SB 37 (Caballero), which seeks to allocate $25 million for the Rental Assistance Program for Older Adults and People with Disabilities. Additionally, advocates voiced opposition to SB 1011, which would prohibit homeless individuals from sleeping, lying, sitting, or placing their belongings on sidewalks and streets across many cities in California and would mandate local law enforcement to enforce this new penal code where shelter is available. Additionally, advocates called on lawmakers to encourage the state to reject proposed cuts to affordable housing programs.
While in Sacramento, Brilliant Corners staff engaged in additional meetings with legislative offices to advocate for additional priorities. These meetings also provided an opportunity to share the work of Brilliant Corners and the services we provide, and the core models we operate, including our care homes, the Flex Pool, project-based housing, and Breaking Barriers. Most importantly, we advocated against any budget cuts and emphasized the key role funding plays in our services. It was a wonderful opportunity to build relationships with legislative offices and to showcase Brilliant Corners as an organization.
As a result of our advocacy efforts in Sacramento, our External Affairs team, Director of External Affairs Jose Osuna, and Southern California External Affairs Associate Kayana Tyson, recently met with Assemblymember Tina McKinnor. The meeting with Assemblymember McKinnor provided an opportunity to share the work of Brilliant Corners, and the impactful initiatives we are currently spearheading
Local Initiatives
RELA Budget Townhall
This spring, Brilliant Corners Southern California External Affairs Associate, Kayana Tyson, participated in advocacy efforts for our coalition partner Reimagine LA (RELA). Kayana served as a moderator in a town hall hosted by RELA, which aimed to educate the community about LA County’s fiscal year 2024-2025 recommended budget.
Measure A Rally
In May, several organizations gathered to celebrate collecting 400,000 signatures to qualify Measure A on the LA County November ballot. Measure A seeks to repeal and replace Measure H with an ongoing, permanent funding source that would fund affordable housing, homeless services and programs, and prevention efforts aimed at stemming the inflow into homelessness. Kayana Tyson attended the rally as a representative for Brilliant Corners and to display our support for the measure.
Additional Key Legislation:
Fair Chance Housing Motion: (Support) Fair Chance Housing would prohibit the use of criminal background checks when evaluating rental applications for housing.
AB 1932: (Support) Provides an ongoing, dedicated state funding source for housing and homelessness prevention programs by eliminating the state mortgage interest deduction (MID) on vacation or second homes. This would save the state about $200 million per year, which would be invested in the Multifamily Housing Program, first-time homebuyer assistance, and boosting housing voucher utilization.
Taxpayer Protection Act: (Oppose) The Taxpayer Protection Act makes it more difficult for voters to approve laws that their communities require and prohibits them from enacting advisory measures that specify how our taxes should be used. It would permanently eliminate billions of dollars in funding for road repair and infrastructure, allowing just one-third of voters to make local funding decisions and blocking ballot measures over the will of the majority. It would also cut billions from state and local governments and force cuts to safety net services, overturn funding for paid family leave, disability insurance, gun violence prevention, and climate programs, and endanger the safety of roads, freeways, and bridges
AB 3291: (Support) AB 3291 amends current law that governs when a Regional Center can provide rent, mortgage, or lease payment assistance to an individual with an intellectual or developmental disability participating in Supported Living Services.
AB 2340: (Support) AB 2430 would prohibit a local government from charging a monitoring fee on affordable housing developments built using the State Density Bonus Law that is already subject to a regulatory monitoring agreement with the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee (TCAC), the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), or the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee (CDLAC).
HUD Proposal to Remove Barriers for Formerly Incarcerated People: (Support) HUD recently released a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM), “Reducing Barriers to HUD-Assisted Housing”. If implemented, the proposed regulation would mean that people with a conviction history would not be automatically screened out or disqualified from HUD-assisted housing and would be given a fair chance at accessing housing.
Looking Ahead
The momentum we have built this spring is just the beginning. Our External Affairs team remains committed to continuing this vital work, driven by the belief that everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. We will keep advocating, engaging, and pushing for policies that support our community’s needs.
We are proud of what we have accomplished so far and look forward to the positive changes that lay ahead. Stay tuned for more updates on our advocacy efforts and how you can get involved in making a difference.