Riverside Mayor's Coalition Secures $900 Million for Homeless Programs

Patricia Lock Dawson, the mayor of Riverside, has guided a coalition of 13 mayors to a major fiscal victory in Sacramento. The group, known as Big City Mayors, succeeded in restoring $900 million to the state budget for housing, aid, and homelessness prevention last summer. This funding had been removed until the coalition pressed for its return.

The coalition is now working to make that funding permanent. The goal is to allow local governments to fund ongoing programs without annual uncertainty. Under Dawson's leadership, the group has expanded its focus beyond homelessness to include mental health treatment and the costs of local litigation.

In 2026, the mayors supported four pieces of legislation, all of which were signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. Dawson noted that the group only backs bills with unanimous support from all 13 members. This strict standard ensures that the coalition presents a unified front to the state government.

The group represents roughly 11 million Californians, or more than a quarter of the state's population. Members meet by video every other week to advance their priorities. These sessions sometimes include state legislators or the governor as guests.

Riverside, with a population of approximately 322,000, is the 12th-largest city in the state. It was added to the coalition when the group expanded from the top 11 cities to the top 13 in 2019. Dawson said her city is often viewed as a small town, but it functions as a major urban center with three universities and a state-designated foreign trade zone.

The mayors convened last week in Riverside for the group's second annual summit. The meeting took place at the Center for Social Justice and Civil Liberties and City Hall. Attendees included the mayors of San Diego, San Jose, Fresno, Long Beach, Anaheim, Stockton, and Irvine. The expenses for the visiting mayors were covered by the nonprofit think tank Accelerator for America.

Jerry Dyer, the mayor of Fresno and the coalition's vice chair, praised Dawson's ability to bridge political differences. He noted that finding consensus among 13 mayors with varying politics is difficult, but Dawson helps the group stay focused on core issues. The coalition aims to give inland cities a stronger voice in state policy discussions.