Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and a group of other city leaders from around California and the nation are backing the proposed Ending Homelessness Act.
The legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters would use more than $13 billion to the efforts of cities to deal with the homelessness crisis.
Garcetti says in a statement Monday that homelessness is a national emergency that requires federal action.
Thousands of people live on the streets of Los Angeles, where tent encampments line many streets and filth is a problem.
Among California officials also supporting the legislation are the mayors of Sacramento, Oakland, Anaheim, Santa Ana and Riverside.
Associated Press