Lancaster Awarded $83 Million State Grant

Lancaster, CA.- The City of Lancaster is proud to share the award of $83 million in state grant funding through the California Department of Health Care Services’ Proposition 1 Bond Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP), announced this week by Governor Gavin Newsom. The award is part of a historic $3.3 billion statewide investment aimed at expanding access to mental health and substance use treatment services across California.

This major investment will support one of Mayor R. Rex Parris’ top priorities: strengthening Lancaster’s mental health infrastructure and expanding community-based services. The City is exploring the development of a new behavioral health facility that would offer a wide range of wraparound services to individuals and families in need.

“This funding marks a turning point for our community,” said Mayor R. Rex Parris. “We know that lasting solutions to homelessness, mental illness, and substance use require more than short-term fixes—they require real, sustained investment in care. This grant empowers us to begin building the kind of comprehensive system Lancaster needs, one that helps people access the support and treatment they deserve, including housing, mental health services, addiction care, and the full spectrum of wraparound support. It’s bold initiatives like this that will truly make a difference.”

As part of the State’s broader Mental Health for All initiative, the Prop 1 BHCIP Round 1 grants are focused on creating new infrastructure for crisis care, residential treatment, and outpatient services. The program’s goal is to ensure Californians can access the right care at the right time while reducing pressure on emergency rooms, law enforcement, and hospitals.

The City of Lancaster will continue working with local and regional partners as it moves forward with planning and implementation. The $83 million award represents a significant opportunity to deliver long-term impact and transform how behavioral health services are delivered in the Antelope Valley.

About the City of Lancaster, CA

Lancaster is a diverse community of nearly 170,000, leading the future through science, technology, art, culture, and collaboration. Home to astronauts, rocket scientists, families, and innovative businesses large and small, we are leading the USA with innovation. Combined with spectacular landscapes and clean air, Lancaster has the confidence, expertise, spirit, and imagination to transform tomorrow. We are: Creating a better tomorrow. Visit us at www.cityoflancasterca.gov.