Senator Roth Introduces Legislation to Address Homelessness Crisis: #Drive2ThriveCA

April 03, 2018

(SACRAMENTO) – Senator Richard D. Roth (D-Riverside) has introduced legislation that will allow California drivers to lead social change. SB 1112 creates a specialized license plate giving Californians the option to replace one of the seven digits on their plate with a hashtag. Funds raised through this specialized plate will go to supportive services at Veterans Housing and Homelessness Prevention programs and No Place Like Home programs.

“Our state’s homelessness crisis is a multifaceted issue with no easy answer. This bill looks to address one of those facets: widening the scope of financial resources available to supportive services by letting California drivers express themselves through their license plates,” said Senator Richard D. Roth (D-Riverside). “Too many Californians are forced to seek shelter under freeway overpasses. Too many families are forced to call their car home. Too many veterans are forced to huddle in sleeping bags under storefronts.”

A December 2017 report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development shows that California is home to more than a quarter of the nation’s homeless populations and roughly 30 percent of all veterans experiencing homelessness are here in California.

Senator Roth continued: “Searching social media for viral messaging behind a social movement starts with one uniting force: the hashtag. Similar to the handprint that raises funds for California’s youth and the pink ribbon that advocates for breast cancer awareness, we ask that the hashtag be allowed to continue to drive social change and help answer one of our state’s most critical calls to action: ending homelessness.”

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Senator Richard D. Roth represents the 31st State Senate District, which includes the communities of Corona, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, March Air Reserve Base, Moreno Valley, Norco, Perris and Riverside. Prior to his election, he served for 32 years in the United States Air Force, retiring in 2007 in the grade of Major General.