County Gets Another $14 Million to Assist Homeless
County health officials are touting an infusion of $14 million from the State of California to address the needs of the homeless population with complex psychological and behavioral health issues.
Alameda County Health (AC Health) said last week the money comes from the California Department of Health Care Services’ Bridge Housing and Behavioral Health (BHBH) Program and is designed for three primary areas:
Expanding Interim Housing: Increasing the capacity for temporary housing with intensive on-site services tailored to individuals with high mental health needs.
Strengthening Homelessness Prevention: Supporting unstably housed individuals by reinforcing family and natural support networks.
Supporting Justice System Exits: Assisting individuals transitioning from the criminal justice system to prevent homelessness.
“This additional funding allows us to build upon our Homeless Prevention Framework and create a more robust support system,” said AC Health director Jonathan Russell. “By providing these services, we aim to move those who are homeless off the street and into safe, dignified housing, promote quick access to housing during critical transitions, and build capacity within both formal and informal support systems.”
Unhoused funding for Alameda County now stands at $60.8 million this year, a combination of the new award of $14,040,909 and an earlier allocation of $46,782,359.
The county says it will use part of the funding for a state-mandated legal program for the unhoused called the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court. The program is designed to get the courts to order some homeless to get comprehensive treatment and support for untreated schizophrenia spectrum or other psychiatric disorders.
James Wagner, deputy director of Clinical Operations for ACBHD, emphasized the urgency of funding to support CARE Court participants and others with complex needs. Key initiatives funded include expanding forensic access points, bolstering homelessness prevention, rehabilitating interim housing, and enhancing outreach and navigation services.
The funding, which must be utilized by June 2027, will significantly enhance Alameda County’s strategies to support individuals facing severe mental health challenges.
The new programs and services are expected to start rolling out by the fall of 2024, marking a significant step forward in the County’s commitment to improving housing stability and support for its most vulnerable residents.
In January, volunteers identified 9,450 people experiencing homelessness as part of the county’s biannual Point in Time Count. That is a 3 percent decrease from the 9,747 people counted in 2022.
The unincorporated towns of Castro Valley, Ashland, Cherryland, San Lorenzo, and Fairview saw their unhoused population decrease by 42 percent (294 individuals), with 15 percent of those counted finding temporary shelter.