Governor Gavin Newsom has released the May Revision to his 2026-2027 budget proposal. It does not include the urgently needed funding for legal services to prevent homelessness, provide healthcare access, and maximize the social safety net proposed by legal aid organizations across California. It remains crucial to fund these services now. The Legal Aid Association of California (LAAC) has put forward two funding requests for inclusion in this year’s budget: $50 million to the Equal Access Fund (EAF) for all civil legal services, and $20 million specifically earmarked for homelessness prevention legal services.
“We are facing fundamental changes to the systems and programs that serve low-income and vulnerable people,” said Lorin Kline, the Director of Advocacy for the LAAC, “and California has a responsibility to strengthen the legal safety net in response.”
Assemblymember Catherine Stefani is championing one request from the legal aid community to increase the Equal Access Fund, which funds civil legal services for low-income people throughout the state. “Legal aid is often the first line of defense for Californians facing eviction, domestic violence, wage theft, loss of benefits, or barriers to health care,” said Assemblymember Stefani. “At a time when federal attacks are putting more pressure on vulnerable communities, California must invest in the Equal Access Fund so legal aid organizations can keep people housed, safe, and protected. This $50 million investment is one of the most effective ways we can help the most people, and I will continue fighting to secure this funding in the final budget.”
“Legal aid programs are a key part of California’s response to the homelessness crisis and form the safety net that supports vulnerable individuals when they have to navigate life-altering civil legal issues,” said Assemblymember Ash Kalra. “In a time of so much need and few resources, the state must continue to invest in trusted, effective services. I am proud to champion the $20 million ask for the Equal Access Fund to fund homelessness prevention services that will keep people housed and help reduce reliance on more costly services.”
The impact of expanding these services now will be to help Californians maintain health and stability during a critical moment for our state. “The legislature must act to fund the legal services people will undoubtedly need following massive changes to policies and resources that are imminent,” added Kline.
LAAC stands with our community and with the hundreds of thousands of Californians who are helped every year by their local legal aid nonprofit. For more information about how the May Revision proposal would impact legal aid’s client communities, we encourage you to look at the statements and analyses done by our friends at Western Center on Law & Poverty, Justice in Aging, and the California Budget and Policy Center. We would be happy to give additional background on the legal safety net. Please contact Lorin Kline at LKline@LAAConline.org.