Housing and Human Services

As part of the effort to improve social services in Alameda, the Social Service Human Relations Board (SSHRB) has created an Age-friendly Cities Survey to disseminate into the community. This survey is designed to collect data related to creating city where people of all ages can thrive, especially seniors 55+, and asks questions about social participation, transportation, health care, and more.

All senior community members are invited to fill out the survey. Feedback or questions may be directed to scottmeans@alamedaca.org.

The City of Alameda, the County of Alameda, and community partners are committed to addressing homelessness in our island city, and together offer many programs and services addressing homelessness.

One-Bedroom, Moderate-Income BMR (Below Market Rate) Rentals Available at Star Harbor

  

Newly constructed apartments are available for rent now at Star Harbor located at 1501 Buena Vista Avenue in Alameda. Two (2) one-bedroom apartments are available as part of the City's Below Market Rate (BMR) rent program for $2,186 per month - income limits will apply. Applications are accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Maximum occupancy limit of 3 people for a one-bedroom apartment. 

2026 Maximum Income Limits for Moderate Income 

Moderate income is considered to be 120% of the Area Median Income. 

*Effective: April 23, 2025.

Below Market Rate (BMR) Rentals at Launch in Alameda

Launch is currently accepting rental applications for available Below Market Rate (BMR) studios, junior one-bedroom, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. Maximum income limits apply based on apartment availability.

Other Affordable Housing Opportunities

In addition to viewing listings that are posted by local property management companies, check out the resources below:

• The Housing Authority of the City of Alameda maintains a list of its affordable rentals. It is updated periodically, so please refer to it for updates. You can also sign up for the Alameda Housing Authority's mailing list to find out when the waiting list might be opened to accept applications in the future.

• The Alameda County Housing & Community Development Department also maintains a list of affordable housing opportunities that are available. Please continue to check the website for available housing opportunities.

• The Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA) maintains the Doorway Housing Portal. The portal provides a central place for housing seekers to find and apply for affordable housing throughout the Bay Area.

• Contact Eden Information and Referral for information about housing and other services that may be available by calling 2-1-1 or visiting their website.

Inclusionary Housing Rental Guidelines 

The City of Alameda funds and oversees the Inclusionary Housing Program, often referred to as the Below Market Rate (BMR) Program. The Inclusionary Housing Rental Guidelines manual(PDF, 338KB) describes the program guidelines and processing procedures for the BMR Rentals program. These guidelines shall be updated from time to time and are subject to final interpretation by the City. 

2025 Below Market Rate (BMR) Homeownership Waitlists in Alameda

Rise Housing, on behalf of the City of Alameda, is accepting pre-applications for three (3) BMR Homeownership Waitlist lotteries for 2025's income limits. A separate waitlist application must be submitted for Very Low-income (50% AMI), Low-income (80% AMI), and Moderate-Income (120% AMI) households. Preference points apply.

Eligible pre-applications that were received by June 9, 2025, were included in the lottery list ranking. Eligible applications received after June 9, 2025, will be accepted, and will be placed at the end of the household’s respective income and preference category’s ranked lottery list.

PLEASE NOTE: If you applied for the previous 2024 BMR waitlist, you must reapply for the 2025 BMR waitlist if you wish to be considered for any BMR homes that become available that will utilize the City's waitlists for buyer selection. Your 2024 waitlist lottery position will not be retained and you will be re-ranked on the 2025 waitlist.

Home Buyer Assistance Programs

Down Payment Assistance Program

The Alameda County Housing & Community Development Department offers a Down Payment Assistance (DPA) program that is administered by Hello Housing. DPA funds are to help first-time homebuyers with the purchase of a home in Alameda County. Check out www.acboost.org or call (510) 500-8840 for more information about down payment assistance. Please sign up at Hello Housing to be notified when the next application period becomes available for this program.

Low Interest Rate Home Financing, Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance

The California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) provides low interest rate home financing as well as down payment and closing cost assistance to low- to moderate-income homebuyers in California. CalHFA offers its loan products through a network of loan officers and mortgage brokers. For more information, please ask your loan officer or visit CalHFA's website.

Not Ready to Buy Yet?

Preparing for Homeownership

1. Learn about the home-buying process through online education for first-time homebuyers, such as the CFPB's step-by-step guide or the MGIC's homebuyer education options.
2. Get pre-approved by a lender (bank, credit union, mortgage broker) to find out how much you can afford and if there are any steps that you should be taking now to prepare for homeownership in the future.
3. Build savings! If you don't know where to start, there are financial literacy resources available from America Saves and MyMoney.gov.
4. Pay your bills on time and reduce debt.
5. Review your credit report for free each year through Annual Credit Report.
6. Get to know the market/how much properties sell for by researching your options. Websites like Redfin, Zillow, and Fannie Mae can be a good place to start gathering information.

Affordable Homeownership Interest List

To obtain information about homes that are offered through the City of Alameda’s Inclusionary Housing Program in Alameda, please sign up for the City’s mailing list:

1. Visit the City's newsletter page.
2. Enter your email address at the top of the page.
3. Scroll to "Housing & Human Services" and select “Affordable homeownership interest list”
4. Review the data privacy policy and if you consent, check the box and click "Next."

Inclusionary Housing Homeownership Guidelines

The City of Alameda funds and oversees the Inclusionary Housing Program, often referred to as the Below Market Rate (BMR) Program. The Inclusionary Housing Homeownership Guidlines manual(PDF, 303KB) describes the program guidelines and processing procedures for the BMR program. These guidelines shall be updated from time to time and are subject to final interpretation by the City. 

City of Alameda Housing & Human Services Resource List

A PDF version of this list can be accessed on our website.

Affordable & Inclusionary Housing Rentals

Alameda County low-income/affordable housing waitlists or ongoing opportunity platforms:

Eviction Prevention/Tenants' Rights Legal Assistance Providers

Legal assistance for individuals or families facing eviction, and/or seeking tenants' rights advocacy and support.

Back Rent/Move-In Financial Assistance Providers

These agencies can provide one-time financial assistance for rent arrears and/or move-in deposits. Please note, eligibility varies based on program funding and capacity.

Housing Navigation Providers

Utility Bill Assistance (Past Due or Discounted Assistance)

Comprehensive Employment Support Centers

Are you or someone you know currently homeless, at risk of becoming homeless?

• After December 31, 2025, please call Housing & Human Services at (510) 747-6890 or email at HumanServices@alamedaca.gov.
• For evenings or weekends, call 2-1-1 to access resources county-wide.

Staff at these numbers have the most in-depth knowledge of available resources, shelter locations, and available housing applications.

Are you experiencing domestic violence?

Other organizations serving Alameda:

For more resources, access our full Housing & Human Services Resource List pamphlet. If you need a copy of the Housing & Human Services Resource List pamphlet in an alternative or translated format, please contact ada@alamedaca.gov.

The City of Alameda is one of eight jurisdictional members of the Alameda County HOME Consortium. As the lead agency for the Consortium, Alameda County coordinates long-range planning and annual applications to HUD for both Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. While HOME funds are administered by Alameda County on behalf of the participating jurisdictions, CDBG funds are directly awarded to some of the participating jurisdictions, including Alameda, as annual “entitlement” funds. Please visit our CDBG and HOME webpage to learn more about these programs. 

City of Alameda Residential Rehabilitation Assistance for Low- and Moderate-Income Households

Coming 2026!

Renew Alameda County (RENEW AC)  

Renew AC is a new home improvement loan assistance program for low-income homeowners throughout the County. Administered by Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley, Renew AC aims to help keep existing homeowners in their homes, and maintain existing housing stock in a safe, livable condition.

To learn more or apply, visit www.RenewAC.org or contact Habitat for Humanity's Home Repair program:

If you need a copy of any of the following documents in an alternative or translated format, please contact ada@alamedaca.gov.

Programs and Services Addressing Homelessness

• Progress Report on The Road Home(PDF, 7MB)
• Homelessness Strategic Plan
• 2024 Point in Time Count Report
• 2024 Point in Time County Infographic(PDF, 828KB)
• Point In Time Count
• Homelessness Report(PDF, 3MB)
• EveryoneHome Plan(PDF, 2MB)
• Homelessness Task Force Report: Tools and Resources for Cities and Counties(PDF, 3MB)
• 2019 Point in Time Count Report(PDF, 2MB)
• 2022 Point in Time Count Infographic(PDF, 336KB)
• 2022 Homeless Count and Survey Comprehensive Report(PDF, 3MB) 

Community Needs Assessment

• City of Alameda Community Needs Assessment 2023(PDF, 2MB)
• City of Alameda Community Needs Assessment 2017(PDF, 1MB)

CDBG and HOME

• City of Alameda Action Plan FY 2024–25(PDF, 4MB)
• Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report 2024–25(PDF, 466KB)
• City of Alameda Five-Year Consolidated Plan FY 2025–29 — Action Plan FY 2025–26(PDF, 1MB) (DRAFT)
• Alameda County Analysis of Impediments 2024(PDF, 12MB)
• City of Alameda Housing Affordability and Displacement Report(PDF, 6MB)

Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA)

• PLHA Annual Report FY23-24(PDF, 596KB)

The State of California Prohousing Designation Program (PDP), established in 2019, creates financial incentives for jurisdictions that are compliant with state housing laws, including Housing Element requirements, and have enacted local policies that facilitate housing production. The PDP is overseen by the California State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). On November 20, 2024, HCD designated the City of Alameda as a Prohousing Jurisdiction under the PDP. Additionally, the City was awarded $1 million in funding under the Round 3 Prohousing Incentive Program. A total of $750,000 has been allocated toward the Day Center Relocation construction and $250,000 for supportive services at the Alameda Housing Authority’s Linnet Corner project. As a Prohousing Jurisdiction, the City is positioned to apply for future rounds of funding which will aide in supporting community development. The PIP grant program is designed to encourage jurisdictions to obtain a Prohousing Designation by rewarding jurisdictions that pursue additional Prohousing Policies to earn a higher Prohousing Designation Score. Under the PIP, grants are available for a variety of planning or implementation activities related to housing and community development.

Amy Wooldridge
Assistant City Manager
Email: awooldridge@alamedaca.gov

C'Mone Falls
Housing and Human Services Manager
Email: cfalls@alamedaca.gov

Grecia Mannah-Ayon
Program Manager, Housing
Email: gmannahayon@alamedaca.gov

Camille Rodriguez
Program Manager, Homeless Services
Email: crodriguez@alamedaca.gov

Andre Fairley
Management Analyst
Email: afairley@alamedaca.gov

Raul Cedeno III
Program Specialist II
Email: rcedeno@alamedaca.gov