More than one million Californians lack access to safe drinking water. Latine, rural, and under-resourced communities are disproportionately affected. The lack of safe drinking water is a threat to food security.
When households that participate in CalFresh are forced to spend limited grocery dollars to purchase bottled water, they have less to spend on the food they need. Recognizing this dire situation, the state launched the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot in March 2022, providing $50 per month to more than 4,000 households in select zip codes that lack access to safe drinking water.
While long-term solutions are necessary, California communities need access to safe drinking water right now. A one-time allocation in the state budget will keep the existing pilot from sunsetting too soon and ensure it continues to reach existing participants, while also creating a path for eventual expansion to additional impacted households.
Extend the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot to boost benefits for a greater number of CalFresh households harmed by the lack of safe drinking water.
Conduct a feasibility study for eventual expansion to additional impacted counties.
Have questions? Contact Jared Call at jared@nourishca.org.
Jared Call
Senior Advocate
323.401.4972
jared@nourishca.org
1 million Californians lack safe drinking water (CalMatters)
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