California anti-Asian hate program nears expiration, advocates urge renewal

San Francisco residents who call for help after an anti-Asian attack or harassment complaint could face thinner support if California lets its Stop the Hate program expire on June 30, 2026. The state money now backs community groups that provide counseling, legal representation, case management, prevention work and crisis intervention for victims, survivors and their families.

The program was created in 2021, when the Legislature made an initial $110 million investment as anti-Asian hate surged during the pandemic. The California Department of Social Services says the second round of funding totals $91,471,239 for 173 organizations for the grant period from July 1, 2023, through September 30, 2026. But advocates say there is no renewal plan in place, even as they press for a new three-year, $100 million appropriation for fiscal years 2026-2029.

The stakes are especially visible in San Francisco, where city officials say hate incidents targeting Asian American and Pacific Islander communities rose during the pandemic and prompted the city to adopt a citywide response protocol to improve victim services. If the state program lapses, San Francisco community-based organizations would lose a key funding stream for direct services and prevention work at the exact moment many families still rely on them to report attacks, navigate police and court systems, and get support after an incident.

Advocates and lawmakers have been sounding the alarm across the state. At an April 29, 2026 rally at the California State Capitol, community leaders and legislators warned that failing to act would leave millions of Californians without critical protections amid continuing hate and violence. Among the leaders pushing for reauthorization are Manjusha Kulkarni, Mike Fong, Aisha Wahab, Rob Bonta, David Chiu, Monique Limón, Jesse Arreguín, Robert Rivas and Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The urgency is sharpened by California’s hate-crime numbers. The California Department of Justice reported 1,970 hate-crime events in 2023 and 2,023 in 2024, a 2.7% increase. State officials say hate remains a serious statewide issue, but without renewal, the Stop the Hate network that has reached nearly 2 million Californians through intervention or prevention services could begin to unwind just as San Francisco and other Bay Area communities continue to confront the fallout.