March 14th, 2025
The Honorable Aisha Wahab
Senate Housing Committee
1021 O Street, Room 3330
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: Support for Senate Bill 492 (Menjivar)
Dear Chair,
The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to support Senate Bill 492 (Menjivar) the Youth Housing Bond Act of 2025, legislation that would issue bonds for the purpose of developing local youth centers and youth housing.
CAYEN is a youth-led statewide network comprised of youth action teams and a youth advisory board which engages, empowers and represents Transitional Age Youth (TAY), ages 15-26, in mental and behavioral health advocacy on issues that directly affect TAY. As many TAY continue to experience homelessness and barriers to mental and substance use services and supports, CAYEN stands committed to advocating for these vital community-based resources.
Stable housing is one of many social determinants of health that have lifelong impacts on one’s health and wellness. With over 9,000 unaccompanied youth in California currently experiencing homelessness, there is an immediate need to provide targeted housing interventions for TAY.[1] Furthermore, county prevention funds under the Behavioral Health Services Act (2024) have been eliminated. Counties no longer have designated prevention funding to invest in, develop and sustain youth centers, a behavioral health prevention strategy that meets youth where they are to offer voluntary supports and services to address their mental and substance use challenges.
The Youth Housing Bond Act of 2025 helps address the housing insecurity TAY face and increases access to vital community-based services and support. It is for those reasons that CAYEN supports SB 492 (Menjivar) and asks for your “Aye” vote. If you have any questions, or if CAYEN can provide assistance on this bill or any other legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me at dthirakul@mhac.org.
Sincerely,
Danny Thirakul
California Youth Empowerment Network
Public Policy Coordinator
[1] HUD CoC Homeless Populations and Subpopulations Reports (2024)