In 2024, California took a historic step forward with the passage of SB 1395 — the Interim Housing Act, a landmark bill recognizing interim supportive housing as an essential part of the state’s homelessness response. DignityMoves was proud to co-sponsor the legislation alongside a broad and diverse coalition of partners who share a common belief: ending street homelessness requires bold, coordinated action.

One of the most critical forces behind these policy wins has been our partnership with Brownstein, whose strategic expertise and deep understanding of Sacramento’s political landscape have helped advance forward-thinking solutions at the state level.

We sat down with the Brownstein team to reflect on the bipartisan success of SB 1395, the lessons learned from SB 606, and how partnerships like ours can drive systems change in the years ahead.

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Q: Last year’s SB 1395 Interim Housing Act, which DignityMoves was proud to co-sponsor, was a landmark step recognizing interim supportive housing as an essential part of California’s homelessness response. Looking back, what do you think made that bipartisan success possible, and what role did coalition partnerships play in shaping the outcome?

Brownstein: To begin, we are grateful to Senator Josh Becker for his leadership in advancing such a forward-thinking piece of legislation. One of the key factors behind the bill’s bipartisan success was the strength and diversity of the coalition that came together to support it. With organizations like SPUR, the Bay Area Council, and DignityMoves aligned, the effort represented a powerful intersection of business, housing, and transportation interests.

From our position, one of the most valuable contributions DignityMoves brought to the table was their deep policy expertise. They were able to provide clear, credible answers to legislators’ tough questions, helping build confidence in the policy approach and shaping the conversation in a constructive, solutions-oriented way.

Ultimately, homelessness and the broader housing crisis are issues that transcend party lines. Lawmakers hear about it constantly from constituents, and there’s growing recognition that interim housing must be part of the solution. Public perception has also shifted—it was the right moment for this kind of policy. SB 1395 succeeded because the right stakeholders came together at the right time with a compelling, bipartisan message.

Q: This year, we worked together on SB 606, the Functional Zero Unsheltered Act, which was intended to add accountability and transparency to California’s homelessness response. Unfortunately, the bill did not make it out of the Appropriations Committee despite bipartisan support from both Chambers. From Brownstein’s perspective, why is this kind of systems-level accountability so critical? What can we learn from this setback, and how are you helping to build momentum for the bill in next year’s legislature?

Brownstein: From our perspective, SB 606 represented a crucial step toward creating the kind of systems-level accountability that California’s homelessness response urgently needs. Homelessness is not confined by jurisdictional boundaries, yet our funding and accountability structures often are. SB 606 aimed to promote a more coordinated, statewide approach—one that recognizes the unique challenges of each local jurisdiction while ensuring no one falls through the cracks due to fragmented systems. That kind of alignment is essential if we want to move toward functional zero for unsheltered homelessness. Looking ahead, we’re focused on building even broader political and stakeholder support for the bill. That includes reinforcing institutional buy-in, deepening collaboration with key partners, and aligning more closely with the administration to demonstrate a united call to action.

Q: DignityMoves and Brownstein have collaborated on multiple policy efforts over several years. How do you see our partnership strengthening the push for interim housing and functional zero strategies, and what makes this collaboration unique compared to other policy initiatives you’ve supported?

Brownstein: What makes our shared collaboration so effective is the way our respective strengths complement each other. At Brownstein, we bring deep expertise in Sacramento’s policy and political landscape, while DignityMoves contributes not only strong policy acumen, but also the lived, on-the-ground experience of implementing interim housing solutions. That combination allows us to approach complex challenges with both strategic insight and practical credibility. Having a partner who can speak about what’s actually working in the field, while also being able to engage directly with policymakers on the nuances of legislation, is an essential component.

Elizabeth Funk, in particular, is a determined advocate and truly a force of nature. Her leadership, coupled with the uniqueness of the DignityMoves model, has consistently resonated with both stakeholders and legislators. The model’s focus on dignity, speed, and scalability makes it stand out—and makes it easier for us to build strong legislative support around these strategies.

Together, we’ve been able to drive meaningful conversations and policy initiatives around interim housing and functional zero, and we’re excited to continue advancing this work in the years ahead.

Q: As we continue to build on the foundation of SB 1395 and look ahead to next year’s legislative cycle, what do you see as the next significant opportunity or challenge for advancing policy that prioritizes people experiencing street homelessness, and how can partnerships like ours continue to drive meaningful systems change?

Brownstein: Looking ahead, one of the biggest challenges we see in advancing policy that truly prioritizes people experiencing street homelessness is the persistent institutional resistance to shifting focus and resources toward unsheltered populations. While the data and lived experience increasingly point to the urgency of addressing street homelessness head-on, many systems are still structured around legacy approaches that aren’t equipped to meet the current scale or nature of the crisis.

That said, we’re also seeing growing recognition across sectors—business, public safety, and local government—that the status quo isn’t working, and that meaningful change is both necessary and possible. That shift in perspective creates a significant opportunity for progress. By continuing to elevate proven models and center the conversation on outcomes for people living unsheltered, we can keep pushing for the kind of systems change that California urgently needs.

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