Homelessness Strategic Plan

From 2017 to 2019, Alameda’s unsheltered population rose by 13%, to 231 individuals. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic left an even greater number of Alameda families and individuals at risk of, or directly experiencing, homelessness. Primary causes of homelessness in Alameda County have been identified as job loss, mental health issues, substance use, evictions, foreclosures, and incarceration, as well as larger structural issues such as increasing rents and lack of affordable housing.

In 2018, the City declared a state of emergency regarding homelessness in the community and a number of new programs were launched using short-term funding sources such as the Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) and CARES Act funding.

These programs include

• Homeless Outreach Team.
• Enhanced case management.
• Winter warming shelter, which begins its third season in November.
• Day center and safe parking programs.
• Homeless hotline to coordinate service delivery and public calls.
• Mobile shower and laundry program.
• Emergency rental assistance and subsidies to prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless.

The Homelessness Strategic Plan will build on these actions and provide goals, strategies, and tasks to move towards making homelessness in Alameda rare, brief, and non-recurring.

Please click here for more information about homeless initiatives in Alameda.

Are you or someone you know currently homeless, at risk of becoming homeless? Call The Alameda Homeless Hotline at 510-522-HOME (4663) Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. For evenings or weekends, call 2-1-1 to access resources county-wide.

Final Plan

• Please click here to download(PDF, 6MB) the The Road Home: A 5 Year Plan to Prevent and Respond to Homelessness in Alameda.

Strategic Planning Process Documents

• August 13 Draft Strategic Plan(PDF, 10MB)
• Steering Committee Roster(PDF, 510KB) (as of 3/10/21)
• RFP for the Preparation of a Homelessness Strategic Plan(PDF, 1MB)
• Emerging Goals and Strategies Document (4/6/21): This early work product reflects the first two months of an eight month planning process, and is intended to generate feedback and conversation to inform future iterations. It was presented to City Council for feedback on 4/6/21, and to SSHRB on 4/22/21.

City Council Meetings

October 5, 2021 City Council Meeting

On October 5, 2021, City Council reviewed and approved the Road Home.  Please click here to review the staff report and exhibits for this item, and here to view video of the meeting.

April 6, 2021 City Council Meeting

On April 6, 2021 City Council reviewed and provided feedback on the preliminary goals, strategies, and action steps for the Homelessness Strategic Plan. Please click here to review the staff report for this item, and here to view the draft emerging goals and strategies document. Video of this City Council meeting can be viewed here.

Community Meetings

June 10, 2021 Community Meeting

The second community meeting for the Homelessness Strategic Plan was held on Thursday, June 10, 2021. Please click here(PDF, 4MB) to view the slides and here to view the recording.

February 1, 2021 Community Meeting

The first community meeting for the Homelessness Strategic Plan was held on Monday, February 1.   Please click here(PDF, 6MB) to download

Background Documents

• City of Alameda 2018 Homelessness Report
• Alameda County Plan to End Homelessness
• Alameda County Homeless County And Survey Comprehensive Report
• City of Alameda Housing Affordability and Displacement Report(PDF, 6MB)(PDF, 6MB)

Please click here for volunteer and donation opportunities to help Alameda's unhoused residents. 

Learn More

On April 8, 2021, the City presented "Unsheltered in Alameda: Learn More + How to Help." This 90-minute Zoom presentation and panel discussion offered information about the causes and challenges related to homelessness in Alameda, current services and programs offered by the City, and ways the Alameda community can get involved.