Alameda County Praised for Homelessness Programs

Alameda County's recognition stems from its "Home Together" strategic plan, a five-year initiative aimed at reducing homelessness and its racial disparities. This plan coordinates efforts across the county's 14 cities and unincorporated areas to increase housing solutions and connect people to resources. In the third year of the plan, 3,594 people were moved into permanent housing. A key element of this success is the county's "Coordinated Entry" system, which provides a centralized process for individuals experiencing a housing crisis to be assessed and matched with available shelter and housing. This system aims to be more equitable and efficient, and in 2020, it was updated to better focus on problem-solving and connecting people to flexible funding resources. The Governor also designated Alameda County as one of the state's first "CARE Champions" for its successful implementation of the CARE Act. This designation is based on the high number of petitions per capita filed in the county, which connect individuals with severe mental illness to treatment and housing. In Fremont, the 2024 count identified 807 individuals experiencing homelessness, a 20% decrease from the previous count. The city has its own Homelessness Response Plan and operates a Housing Navigation Center which, between September 2020 and June 2025, has provided housing for 293 people, with 60% of those who exited moving to stable housing. Fremont has also seen success with its seasonal Winter Relief Program, which provides temporary shelter in motel rooms. A recent expansion of this program to address the encampment at Vallejo Mill Historic Park resulted in 46% of participants transitioning to more stable housing options. The city's longer-term goal is to secure funding to operate this program year-round. The new state funding, part of the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) program, is intended to support these types of initiatives. For the Alameda region, these funds will be prioritized for interim and permanent housing solutions, including rental subsidies and rapid re-housing programs. Additionally, new affordable housing is coming online in Fremont. Bell Street Gardens, a 126-unit affordable housing complex, recently opened on the site of a former motel that was used as temporary shelter. This is one of five new affordable housing projects scheduled for completion in the city this year.