Homeless Programs

Homelessness solutions in alameda county

If you live in the incorporated areas of Alameda County, which are cities such as Berkeley, Fremont, or Oakland, etc., please go to https://homelessness.acgov.org/ for assistance with all your needs.

If you live in any of unincorporated areas of Alameda County, please find homeless resources on this page. Such areas include: Ashland, Castro Valley, Cherryland, Fairview, Hayward Acres, Hillcrest Knolls, San Lorenzo, Sunol, or East County Rural.

HCD Unincorporated County Homeless Programs

The Alameda County Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) has over 25 years of experience in provision and oversight of homeless housing and programs for the unincorporated county, along with community leadership through collaborative partnerships to serve people who are currently homeless while working to end homelessness across Alameda County.

If you need shelter, housing or services related to being homeless or preventing homelessness, please contact 2-1-1 for referrals.

HCD supports shelter, housing, and services to assist people who reside in the unincorporated county who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and also provides policy, planning and coordination to end homelessness in the unincorporated areas of Alameda County. For more information on specific programs and services supported by HCD, please see the following:

Shelter Plus Care Programs:

S+C Project-based Rental Assistance (PRA): The Alameda Point Shelter Plus Care PRA Program provides permanent housing and supportive services to 23 formerly homeless individuals with disabilities and their families: 14 at Alameda Point and 9 at the Lorenzo Creek Apartments in Castro Valley.

Supportive Housing Program Projects (SHP) Permanent Housing Program:

Lorenzo Creek: Nine units of permanent supportive housing for homeless people disabled by serious mental illness, chronic alcohol and drug problems, or AIDS and Related Disorders, and their families in an accessible multifamily housing complex constructed using principles of universal design in Castro Valley. Lorenzo Creek residents receive rental subsidies through S+C and supportive services both on and off site through SHP. For more program information, dial 2-1-1, Eden I&R.

SHP Transitional Housing Programs

Banyan House Transitional Housing: The Family Emergency Shelter Coalition, (FESCO) operates a 24 bed transitional housing facility with on-site supportive services for eight families with children per year in the Cherryland district of unincorporated Alameda County. Services are provided and coordinated by FESCO. For more information, call 510-538-0321 or check the FESCO website: fescofamilyshelter.org.

Emergency Shelters

Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG): HCD's annual ESG grant provides funds for staffing and support services in emergency shelters serving the five small cities and the unincorporated county (the "Urban County"). Funds available are approximately $100,000 annually and are spread between emergency shelter and rapid re-housing programs. For more program information, dial: 2-1-1, Eden Information and Referral.
First Presbyterian Church of Hayward: Located in Castro Valley, First Pres provides a nightly shelter and weekday drop-in center for adults. For more information, call (510) 634-4750.
Fairmont Safe Parking Program: The Fairmont Safe Parking Program has provided unsheltered people who are living in their vehicles with a safe place to sleep. Program participants also receive housing navigation and other services. The site can serve up to 18 clients at a time. For more information, visit https://alcosafeparking.com/.

Rapid Rehousing

ESG Rapid Re-Housing: Each year, HCD holds an Request for Proposals process to select the County's ESG Rapid Re-Housing provider. First Presbyterian Church of Hayward currently provides this service. For more information, call (510)-634-4750.
CalWORKs Housing Support (HSP): HCD, in partnership with Social Services Agency, funds a rapid re-housing program for homeless CalWORKs families. For more information, dial: 2-1-1, Eden I&R.

Homeless Prevention

Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG): HCD partners with Berkeley Food and Housing Project for services in Albany, Emeryville and Piedmont, and Family Emergency Shelter Coalition for services in the Unincorporated County, Newark, and Dublin, to identify and stabilize households at risk of losing their permanent housing. For more information, dial: 2-1-1, Eden Information and Referral.
ESG Rapid Re-Housing: Each year, HCD holds an Request for Proposals process to select the County's ESG Rapid Re-Housing provider. First Presbyterian Church of Hayward currently provides this service. For more information, call (510) 634-4750.

Support Services

Reciprocal Integrated Services for Empowerment (RISE) Project: HCD is the lead agency of this five agency collaborative that serves S+C tenants with a range of integrated supportive services focused on assisting participants with maintaining permanent housing. RISE serves over 155 participants and their families annually, and conducts home visits throughout Alameda County. For more information contact one of the following RISE partner agencies:
Abode Services, 510-252-0910 ext 805; or Building Opportunities for Self Sufficiency (BOSS), 510-684-2163; or Second Chance, 510-792-4357.
Downtown Streets Team: Downtown Streets Team provides an employment development program for program volunteers. Volunteers work on shifts in Castro Valley and Cherryland to clean litter and debris from the community. Volunteers also receive assistance in developing soft skills, finding employment, and maintaining a job. For more information, call (408) 899-7350.