Two prominent California lawmakers—one from Los Angeles, one from San Francisco—have introduced an Assembly resolution urging Gov. Jerry Brown to declare a statewide emergency because of the worsening homelessness crisis.

The legislative move by Assembly members Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) and Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) follows a unanimous vote this month by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors urging the Assembly and Senate to push the governor for such a declaration. This would clear the way for a series of coordinated strategies and significant funding to confront a crisis that is placing unprecedented strains on cities and counties throughout the state.

“California is too prosperous a state for so many to suffer from homelessness,” said Santiago, the Assembly’s majority whip, whose district includes L.A.’s Skid Row.

More than 20 percent of the nation’s homeless population is now living in California, an estimated 115,738 people. More than 47,000 of them live in Los Angeles County—the largest concentration in the U.S.

“We need a statewide solution to help people get into housing and services rather than have each city go it alone,” said Assembly Budget Chair Ting of San Francisco, a city also hit hard by homelessness.

House Resolution 56 could come to a full vote as early as Thursday. If passed, it would send a strong signal of broader support to Brown, who so far has declined calls to declare a statewide emergency.

Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, who has lobbied hard in Sacramento for help in combating L.A. County homelessness, praised the Assembly resolution and its authors.

“The time for action is now, and it’s time for leadership to prevail if we are to succeed in addressing the most compelling social issue confronting Californians,” Ridley-Thomas said.

For more information on Los Angeles County’s Homeless Initiative, go to http://priorities.lacounty.gov/homeless/