A comprehensive report from the non-profit “Everyone Home” laid out a road map for Alameda County to drastically decrease homelessness in the next three to five years.
The intensive plan would cost over $800 million and features a complete overhaul of the county’s homeless response.
The report found not all people on the street have substance abuse or mental health problems. Sometimes, they simply can’t make rent.
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said there needs to be a shallow subsidy program to help people in this situation.
“It’s not as expensive or intensive as public housing or the section 8 voucher program,” Schaff said. “But it does help people that can almost make these rent payments in this expensive bay area, with a little bit of ongoing subsidy.”
Instead of focusing on sheltering people, the report recommends building affordable housing.
Chelsea Andrews, executive director of Everyone Home, said with an $824 million dollar investment, within 3 years, the county could be at "functional zero", meaning it could house someone as soon as they become homeless.
“Now that we as a community, as a nation, have experienced this pandemic, I think that just about everyone has had a moment of realization that all it can take is one thing and they could also have housing and security,” Andrews said.
