SUBJECT
CONTINUED ITEM FROM MARCH 11, 2025 (11):
Title
PROVIDING FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAM RECIPIENTS WITH A NOTICE OF FUNDING AT RISK (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
On March 11, 2025 (11), the Board of Supervisors considered this item. The motion to adopt the recommendations failed due to a tie vote, and the Board did not continue the item. Pursuant to Rule 2(g) of the Board of Supervisors Rules of Procedure, the item was placed on the agenda for the next regular meeting.
Hundreds of thousands of San Diego families rely on federally funded programs to meet basic needs, including healthcare, housing assistance, food security, and workforce development. These programs are not just important; they are essential for the health, safety, and stability of our communities. The recent federal budget proposals proposed by the Administration and Congressional leaders put these lifelines at serious risk. Cuts of this magnitude will have real and devastating consequences for residents across San Diego County.
For instance, the U.S. House budget proposal includes a 15% cut to housing assistance, jeopardizing the housing stability of nearly 10,000 households in San Diego who rely on housing vouchers to provide stable housing and prevent homelessness. Federal food assistance programs are also targeted, with the House Budget Committee proposing 20% cuts to food assistance programs supporting over 400,000 families in our region. If enacted, these cuts will leave families struggling to afford groceries, overload our local food banks, and lead to worse health outcomes. Additionally, proposed cuts to healthcare funding will reduce access to essential services like mental health care and preventative medical treatment for 900,000 households across San Diego. The urgency is clear: without intervention, these cuts will worsen housing instability, food insecurity, and health outcomes for our most vulnerable residents.
San Diego County must act swiftly to ensure transparency and preparedness. It is crucial that all federally funded program beneficiaries are notified about these impending funding cuts and potential service reductions.
Today’s action directs the Chief Administrative Officer to develop a notification strategy to send a “notice of funding at-risk” to all federally funded program beneficiaries. This notice should be clear, concise, and delivered in a timely manner to give families federal contact information to direct questions and concerns about these proposed federal funding cuts, including contact information for the White House, and the Department of Government Efficiency (@DOGE). The notice could be distributed through multiple communication channels, such as direct mail, email, flyers, and posters in County facilities, including County Livewell Centers, and County Family Resource Centers.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
VICE CHAIR TERRA LAWSON-REMER
Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to develop a notification strategy to provide a formal notice of funding at-risk to all federally funded County program beneficiaries with timely and clear information about proposed funding cuts and potential service reductions. This notification strategy could include multiple communication channels, such as direct mail, email, flyers, and posters in County facilities, like County Livewell Centers and Family Resource Centers. This notice should provide contact information for the White House and the Department of Government Efficiency (@DOGE) to direct any questions and concerns about these proposed federal funding cuts. Report back with notification strategy options within 30 days. Additionally, the notice should include resources where people can go to get help. Finally, any notifications should wait to be deployed until there is specific information about the cuts. Report back with notification strategy options within 30 days.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Ensuring that residents receive timely and clear communication about potential funding reductions is essential to promoting fairness and access to critical services. Many of the federally funded programs at risk serve populations that already face systemic barriers to economic stability, healthcare, and housing. Providing transparent information and connecting affected individuals with advocacy opportunities helps empower communities to protect the resources they rely on, while also ensuring those most impacted are not left without support.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Ensuring residents are informed and prepared for potential funding reductions strengthens community resilience and economic stability. By proactively connecting individuals to alternative resources and support systems, we can help prevent financial hardship, homelessness, and service disruptions, contributing to a more sustainable and stable region.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact and no additional staffing costs associated with these recommendations at this time. There may be additional fiscal impacts in the future depending on the notification strategies that are developed.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
Local businesses and the broader economy are indirectly impacted by reductions in federally funded programs, as these cuts may lead to decreased consumer spending, increased financial instability among workers, and higher demand for social services. Ensuring that program recipients are aware of potential funding risks and available resources can help mitigate disruptions to economic activity and provide stability for families and businesses alike.
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
N/A
BACKGROUND
Hundreds of thousands of San Diego families rely on federally funded programs to meet basic needs, including healthcare, housing assistance, food security, and workforce development. These programs are not just important; they are essential for the health, safety, and stability of our communities. The recent federal budget proposals proposed by the Administration and Congressional leaders put these lifelines at serious risk. Cuts of this magnitude will have real and devastating consequences for residents across San Diego County.
For instance, the U.S. House budget proposal includes a 15% cut to housing assistance, jeopardizing the housing stability of nearly 10,000 households in San Diego who rely on housing vouchers to provide stable housing and prevent homelessness. Federal food assistance programs are also targeted, with the House Budget Committee proposing 20% cuts to food assistance programs supporting over 400,000 families in our region. If enacted, these cuts will leave families struggling to afford groceries, overload our local food banks, and lead to worse health outcomes. Additionally, proposed cuts to healthcare funding will reduce access to essential services like mental health care and preventative medical treatment for 900,000 households across San Diego. The urgency is clear: without intervention, these cuts will worsen housing instability, food insecurity, and health outcomes for our most vulnerable residents.
San Diego County must act swiftly to ensure transparency and preparedness. It is crucial that all federally funded program beneficiaries are notified about these impending funding cuts and potential service reductions.
Today’s action directs the Chief Administrative Officer to develop a notification strategy to send a “notice of funding at-risk” to all federally funded program beneficiaries. This notice should be clear, concise, and delivered in a timely manner to give families federal contact information to direct questions and concerns about these proposed federal funding cuts, including contact information for the White House, and the Department of Government Efficiency (@DOGE). The notice could be distributed through multiple communication channels, such as direct mail, email, flyers, and posters in County facilities, including County Livewell Centers, and County Family Resource Centers. Direct mailing options should take into account mass mailing bulk rates, and printing costs, should that option be selected, estimated at no than 40 cents per mailers in total.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Todays’ proposed actions support Sustainability and Equity initiatives in the County’s 2025-30 Strategic Plan by supporting public investments in health, workforce, and economic empowerment, and by ensuring transparency and preparedness for County residents in times of financial uncertainty.
Respectfully submitted,
Terra lawson-remer
Supervisor, Third District
ATTACHMENT(S)
Sample Notice