On June 11, 2026, mayors from California’s largest cities gathered for the Capitol Weekly Big City Mayors Forum to address the state’s most pressing challenges. The discussion focused on homelessness, housing affordability, economic development, regulatory reform, and the relationship between local governments and Sacramento.
The forum featured Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson, Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, Irvine Mayor Larry Agran, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty, and Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee. These leaders emphasized the need for stronger state-local partnerships, greater flexibility for cities, and more predictable funding to tackle issues directly impacting residents.
Progress in Addressing Homelessness
The mayors highlighted recent successes in reducing homelessness. Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson noted a 9% statewide drop in unsheltered homelessness over the past year. Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh reported a 16.3% reduction in unsheltered homelessness over two years, with 92% of people moved from city shelters into permanent housing remaining housed.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan shared that his city has reduced the number of people living outdoors by roughly one-third over the last five years through a combination of homelessness prevention, interim housing, affordable housing investments, and case management. Irvine Mayor Larry Agran highlighted a partnership with the Irvine Company that successfully housed 88 students experiencing housing instability within a year.
Holistic Approaches to Homelessness
While discussing housing and shelter investments, the mayors stressed that homelessness is closely tied to mental health and substance abuse challenges. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan argued for stronger behavioral health systems, recovery housing, and treatment options. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie reported a 53% reduction in tent encampments since he took office and described the city’s new Reset Center, where individuals openly using drugs or experiencing severe impairment can receive evaluation and care.
“We’re not going to arrest our way out of this problem, we’re not going to build our way out of this problem,” Lurie said. “It’s going to take all of these factors.”
Challenges with HHAP Funding
Despite highlighting local successes, the mayors expressed concerns about the state’s Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) program. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan called HHAP funding “transformative” but noted that uncertainty over annual allocations makes long-term planning difficult. Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh echoed the need for consistency, while Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson mentioned that mayors have spent the past year advocating for the restoration of funds.
The consensus was clear: while cities are demonstrating results, maintaining momentum will require Sacramento legislators to provide predictable, long-term support.
Economic Development and Regulatory Reform
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan identified addressing California’s He recognized that economic development is not always viewed positively, especially with concerns about rising tech companies and an AI-fueled economy exacerbating living costs.
“We need to demonstrate to Californians that growth can ensure broad-based prosperity,” Mahan said. “That’s a fundamental public policy failure that we cannot afford to repeat.”
Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson referenced recent updates to CEQA, such as the Vehicle Miles Traveled law, as an impediment to housing development. “Things that are really well-intentioned can have a chilling effect,” she said.
Irvine Mayor Larry Agran cited economic justice as the pressing issue that state legislation must address. He referenced the significant economic gap in California, stating that the “top 20%” are in “great shape” while the majority struggle amidst high inflation and housing costs. Agran emphasized the need to redesign the tax code to increase income taxes on multi-millionaires and billionaires.
Housing and Local Control
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan highlighted the importance of reducing building costs. Lee spoke of issuing tax credits and identifying more Opportunity Zones as part of her strategy to increase Oakland housing. Mahan focused on capping fees and adjusting regulatory requirements, as seen in recent policy changes such as easing San Jose’s Inclusionary House Ordinance and approving a streamlined ministerial approval process for infill housing projects.
Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty proposed a statewide permitting process to reduce costs per housing unit and streamline the building process. However, Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh advocated for reducing state regulations and emphasizing local control, especially considering California’s diverse cities and communities with varying needs.
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee stressed the need for both support at the state level and the freedom to prioritize local communities. “It’s kind of a balancing act,” she said.
Despite differing perspectives on economic development, housing, and regulation, the mayors largely agreed that California’s biggest challenges will require closer collaboration between state and local leaders. As cities continue to serve on the front lines of these issues, Sacramento must view local governments as partners rather than simply implementers of state policy.
