What is AB 2146?
AB 2146, the DASH Act, is a bill to help more Californians move into supportive housing faster by reducing delays and administrative barriers.
It also allows housing providers to fill supportive housing units that have been vacant for more than six months by looking outside the Coordinated Entry System (CES).
If signed into law, the bill would take effect on July 1, 2027.
Why it matters:
Too many Californians are still struggling to find housing, even while supportive housing units sit empty.
At the same time, the process to match people with housing can take too long and involve unnecessary paperwork that slows down placements.
Every vacant unit represents a missed opportunity to help someone move off the street and into stability.
How it works:
The DASH Act creates a “Direct Access to Supportive Housing” pathway that simplifies access to supportive housing for eligible individuals.
It reduces certain documentation requirements for non-federally funded units and allows applicants to instead confirm their housing status through an affidavit.
It also gives providers more flexibility to fill long-vacant units by allowing them to look outside CES after six months of vacancy.
What this changes:
- Faster placement into supportive housing
- Fewer administrative delays and barriers
- Better use of existing housing units
- More people moving from the streets into housing
The goal:
AB 2146 is about making the housing system work more efficiently so available homes don’t sit empty while people wait.
This is a practical step to reduce delays, improve coordination, and get more Californians into housing faster.
Co-sponsors:
- Non-Profit Housing
- Housing California
