California Assembly Bill AB20

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 12/2/24
• Refer: 3/24/25
• Report Pass: 3/24/25
• Refer: 3/25/25
• Failed: 5/21/25

Caption

An act relating to homelessness. An act to amend Section 1954.09 of the Civil Code, to amend Section 65660 of the Government Code, to amend Section 50216 of, and to add Chapter 22.5 (commencing with Section 26280) to Division 20 of, the Health and Safety Code, and to amend Sections 5960.31, 8255, and 15771 of, to repeal and add Section 8256 of, and to amend the heading of Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 8255) of Division 8 of, the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to homelessness.

Summary

AB 20, the People First Housing Act of 2025, would substantially revise California’s homelessness policy framework by moving away from the state’s current Housing First orientation and toward a more conditional, treatment- and work-based model. The bill declares legislative intent to end Housing First, prioritize shelter beds over permanent supportive housing, and redirect funding toward programs that require sobriety, substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, and work participation. It also would authorize state programs to screen applicants based on “housing readiness” and to impose rules tied to sobriety, treatment completion, mental health, service participation, and compliance with program rules. The bill would make several operational changes to homelessness-related programs and facilities. It would require state funding to be prioritized first for shelter beds, then transitory housing, then permanent supportive housing, and would direct agencies to encourage conversion of permanent supportive housing to transitory housing when demand warrants. It would also require state programs to include work programs with paid or volunteer opportunities, and to prioritize funding for programs that include drug testing, mandatory treatment, and work requirements. In addition, the bill would limit motel payments under CalWORKs homeless assistance unless the motel is approved by the local city council when a motel is used for 20% or more of rented rooms for that purpose. AB 20 would also create new restrictions on homeless encampments and public camping. It would prohibit homeless encampments from operating within 500 feet of a sensitive community area, including schools, open space, and transit stops. It would further prohibit camping in public spaces, including sidewalks, when a homeless shelter bed is available in the city. These provisions would add a new chapter to the Health and Safety Code and would likely affect local enforcement practices, shelter access, and the use of public space by unhoused individuals. The bill would amend or repeal existing Housing First-related provisions across multiple code sections, including the Welfare and Institutions Code, Health and Safety Code, Government Code, and Civil Code. It would remove the requirement that many state homelessness programs incorporate Housing First policies, while preserving some Housing First language in other sections and adding a new “housing readiness” standard. It would also keep or expand data-reporting and evaluation requirements for several state homelessness and housing programs, including recovery housing and adult protective services housing-related supports. The overall sentiment in the available legislative history appears unfavorable. The bill was referred from committee without further action, and a later committee vote on a do-pass motion failed 2-7, indicating limited support. The main point of contention is the bill’s sharp departure from Housing First, which critics are likely to view as a punitive or less evidence-based approach, versus supporters who appear to favor treatment, sobriety, work requirements, and stronger encampment restrictions as a way to address homelessness and public safety concerns.

Impact

AB 20 would significantly alter state homelessness policy by repealing key Housing First mandates, authorizing more restrictive eligibility and program rules, and directing state agencies to prioritize shelter and transitional housing over permanent supportive housing. It would also add new statewide encampment and public camping restrictions, affecting unhoused individuals, local governments, shelter operators, motel-based shelter programs, and state-funded homelessness service providers. Multiple statutes in the Civil Code, Government Code, Health and Safety Code, and Welfare and Institutions Code would be amended or repealed to implement this shift.

Sentiment

The available record suggests the bill was generally viewed negatively in committee. There were no transcript snippets showing supportive debate, and the bill was sent from committee without further action. A subsequent committee vote on a do-pass motion failed 2-7, which indicates substantial opposition or lack of consensus. Overall, the bill appears to have been controversial, especially because it proposes ending Housing First and replacing it with a more conditional, enforcement-oriented framework.

Contention

The central point of contention is the bill’s attempt to replace Housing First with a model that conditions assistance on sobriety, treatment participation, mental health compliance, and work requirements. Opponents would likely object to the bill’s departure from voluntary, low-barrier housing principles, while supporters would likely argue that homelessness policy should emphasize accountability, treatment, and public order. Additional contentious provisions include the 500-foot encampment buffer around sensitive community areas, the ban on public camping when shelter beds are available, and the requirement that some motel-based homeless assistance receive city council approval. The bill also raises policy tension over whether permanent supportive housing should remain a priority or be converted toward transitory housing when demand warrants.