In 2022, DecrimSexWorkCA Coalition’s housing as healthcare pilot program for unhoused and housing insecure current and former sex workers asked CA State Senate Budget Leaders for: 

 

$147 million in one-time General Fund money for a pilot program to support five to ten
housing programs for unhoused and housing insecure current and former sex workers that
includes connections to culturally competent services for these populations. The money would be
dispersed to organizations that provide housing programs to reduce and prevent
homelessness among current and former sex workers. Funds would be targeted to help all
sex workers especially those who are at higher risk of violence and have less access to
services. $9 million for the Department of Healthcare Services to administer and evaluate the
program.

 

Background

 

People who trade sex in a broad array of contexts face stigma and discrimination. This results in
their marginalization and lack of access to basic human needs. They deserve to be healthy and
safe, and housing is an essential element to ensuring this becomes a reality. While housing and
houselessness is an issue across California, current and former sex workers are especially
impacted populations with less access to housing resources due to discriminatory and punitive
policies and practices. Housing is crucial for connecting people to needed physical and mental
healthcare and other services, is a violence prevention measure, and is the biggest unmet need for
many people in the sex trades. Sex workers also frequently face discrimination when trying to
access other services, like healthcare, professional development, banking, and legal services.
When these barriers compound with housing insecurity, it can be especially difficult for people
to maintain connections to vital services. People who trade sex need more culturally competent
service providers and safe, secure housing.

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Which organizations would be eligible to receive the funds? 

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Organizations eligible to receive funds through this program must be community-based
organizations that have sex workers in leadership and/or a values statement or mission that
affirms the rights of people engaged in sex work and/or other organizations who have a
demonstrated commitment to:

● serving transgender and gender non-conforming sex workers and sex workers of color;
● work with unhoused and/or system-involved and impacted transitional aged youth;
● people who are unhoused or facing housing insecurity;
● immigrant and/or undocumented sex workers;
● provide harm reduction services to people who use substances;

● provide inclusive and affirming community-based services to transgender, gender non-
conforming, intersex, LGBQ people, and people living with HIV/AIDS; and who provide

community-centered sexual and reproductive health care to communities of color,
including HIV/AIDS prevention and outreach.

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