Monica Davalos (she/her/ella)
Senior Policy Fellow
Monica Davalos, Senior Policy Fellow, conducts research and analysis on state budget choices and policies that impact housing, homelessness, and tenant protections. She is dedicated to advancing solutions that center dignity, compassion, and evidence-based policies to ensure all Californians have an affordable and stable place to call home. While her primary focus is in housing, Monica has also contributed to the Budget Center’s intersectional work on behavioral health.
Before joining the Budget Center in 2019, Monica was a legislative assistant at the California Medical Association and a constituent affairs representative in the Office of Governor Jerry Brown. She holds a master’s degree in public policy and administration from California State University, Sacramento, and bachelor’s degrees in economics and political science from the University of California, Davis.
As the proud daughter of Nicaraguan and Mexican immigrants, a first-generation college graduate, and a Central Valley native, Monica is driven by her personal experiences to build a just and equitable California. In her free time, you can find her on a walk, at a concert, or exploring new hobbies.
Recent posts by Monica Davalos
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Report
Will Prop. 37 Make Homeownership More Affordable? It’s Not Guaranteed
key takeaway Proposition 37 on the November 2026 ballot would establish a “middle-class” homebuyer downpayment assistance program, funded with up to $25 billion in revenue bonds. This assistance could only be used to purchase newly built homes or newly created housing units converted from nonresidential buildings, where the buyer is the first purchaser. The program …Ballot PropositionsHousing & Homelessness -
Report
Proposition 1: California’s Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond
key takeaway Proposition 1, appearing on the November 2026 ballot, would provide funding for affordable housing and accessible homeownership. Prop. 1 asks voters to authorize a $11.25 billion general obligation bond to fund programs that support the creation and preservation of affordable housing, expand homebuying opportunities for low- and moderate-income Californians and veterans, and invest …Ballot PropositionsHousing & Homelessness -
5Facts
Desalojos en California y soluciones para mantener a las familias en sus viviendas
Read this publication in English. Conclusión clave Las demandas de desalojo en California han alcanzado su nivel más alto en seis años; sin embargo, la mayoría de los inquilinos enfrentan el proceso solos y sin apoyo legal. Los programas estatales están lejos de satisfacer la necesidad existente y, sin una inversión sostenida y un compromiso …Housing & Homelessness -
5Facts
Evictions in California and Solutions to Keep Families Housed
Eviction filings in California are at a six-year high, yet most renters face the process alone and without legal support.Housing & Homelessness -
Issue Brief
More with Less: California’s Homelessness Spending Declines
key takeaway California’s homelessness investments continue to decline despite evidence that they are working, and proposed HHAP funding reductions combined with federal threats endanger continued progress. California has both the resources and the responsibility to ensure every resident has a stable, dignified place to call home. In 2024, homeless service providers served over 350,000 Californians …Housing & Homelessness
