Kaiser Permanente has announced that it will be the first private sector contributor to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new fund to combat homelessness in the state — committing $25 million to the effort.

Newsom announced the creation of the $750 million California Access to Housing and Services Fund in a preview of his 2020-21 budget on Jan. 8, calling on corporate and philanthropic organizations to contribute to the fund as well. The fund will focus on prevention and early intervention by paying rent for individuals experiencing homelessness or who are on the verge of losing housing.

“Our investment in the fund aligns with Kaiser Permanente’s overall strategy to preserve affordable housing and prevent displacement of existing residents, while addressing the root causes of homelessness in our communities,” said Greg Adams, CEO of Kaiser Permanente.

The California Access to Housing and Services Fund is the cornerstone of Newsom’s budget proposal, which allocates more than $1 billion to address homelessness. Funds will be given directly to local providers throughout California by the Department of Social Services, providing flexibility to allocate resources to address communities’ varying needs.