ShelterOak
Advocating policy and action leading to solutions for homelessness.
*Holding Oakland & Alameda County Officials accountable for improving services
*Tracking how and where allocated City and County homeless funding is being spent
* Disseminating and distributing current information affecting the unsheltered population
*Giving voice & dignity to the homeless while advocating for faster transitioning to sheltered housing
*Advocating for daily services and sanitation standards.
Advocating policy and action leading to solutions for homelessness.
*Holding Oakland & Alameda County Officials accountable for improving services
*Tracking how and where allocated City and County homeless funding is being spent
* Disseminating and distributing current information affecting the unsheltered population
*Giving voice & dignity to the homeless while advocating for faster transitioning to sheltered housing
*Advocating for daily services and sanitation standards.
EveryOne Home the next Homelessness Point in Time (PIT) Count in Alameda County has been rescheduled for Wednesday February 23, 2022. This important county-wide event is a count and a survey of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness at a single point in time. Point in Time counts are important because they establish the dimensions of the problem of homelessness and help policymakers and program administrators track progress toward the goal of ending homelessness.
Review the EveryOne Counts! Survey Here
Watch the Video of the Community Meeting for the Survey
Review the Survey Community Meeting Materials
Review the EveryOne Counts! Survey Here
Watch the Video of the Community Meeting for the Survey
Review the Survey Community Meeting Materials
In The News...
January 20
Will Newsom’s new plan to clear homeless camps work? East Bay Times
January 14
Oakland Ramps Up Encampment Closures Again. Oaklandside
January 13
Lake Merritt Homeless Shelter Project Set Back. East Bay Times
COVID Delays Crucial Homeless Census. East Bay Times
January 10
Massive development could bring 600 affordable homes to Oakland SF Business Times
January 9
180 Affordable Housing Units Planned by Fruitvale BART Station. East Bay Times
January 7, 2022
This Northern California mayor wants to give everyone a right to housing. Mercury News
Outbreaks Hit Multiple Homeless Shelters. East Bay Times
December 13, 2021
Special Board of Supervisors/Alameda County Mayors’ Conference on Homelessness
December 10
Formerly Homeless, 'I Can help People Now'. East Bay Times
November 25
More Than A Shelter -- A Support System Too. East Bay Times.
November 7
Hotels to Housing a Struggle in the Bay Area. East Bay Times
November 2
Oakland Unveils Community of New Tiny Homes. East Bay Express
October 31
They Were Homeless, Bay Area Politicians Bring New Perspective. East Bay Times
October 10
People with Homeless Experience to Design Shelters. East Bay Times
September 20
Hotel Experiment Lifted Many from the Streets. East Bay Times
August 27
Oakland Expects More State Money for Homeless Housing. Oaklandside
Oakland Wants to Buy More Than 20 properties... Oaklandside
August 26
Fruitvale affordable housing complex breaks ground after ‘30-year journey’Oaklandside
August 12
Delta variant poses new threat to homeless communities in Oakland. Oaklandside
August 10
Oakland to close 2 prominent homeless camps. Not so fast, some residents say. Oaklandside
July 29
Bay Area Shelter Model Puts Homeless Residents in-Charge. East Bay Times
July 19
Newsom Signs $12 billion Bill to Fight Homelessness. East Bay Times
Covid Vaccinations Lag, Outbreaks spread in Bay Area Shelters. East Bay Times
July 12
An Oakland homeless activist finds housing—in Fremont. Oaklandside
Pressure Mounts to Control Encampments of Homeless. East Bay Times
July 2
Building homeless housing has surprising complexities East Bay Times
June 22
Activists Fight Back Against Camp Closures. East Bay Times
June 12
Something surprising happened in Oakland when a homeless man organized a community discussion. SF Chronicle
June 10
Lake Merritt Lodge Now Housing formerly Unsheltered Residents. City of Oakland
May 25
Town Sweep - New Group Demands Oakland Crack Down on Homeless Camps. East Bay Times
May 12
Newsom offers $12B plan to help homeless. East Bay Times
May 11
Homeless Oaklanders Build a 'miracle' Village. The Guardian
May 7
Oakland Proposed Policy Budget 2021-2023
May 6
Oakland Proposes Homeless Housing. East Bay Times
Oakland Has $4 million for Homeless Housing... Oaklandside
May 5
Poll: Homeless Number One Bay Area Concern. East Bay Times
May 1
A Little Oasis in the Middle of Nowhere. East Bay Times
April 30
Will State Spend $20 billion on Homelessness? East Bay Times
April 29
Facing displacement, Oaklanders living in RVs hope to change city laws. Oaklandside
April 28
Biggest Bay Area Cities Denied Key Housing Funds. East Bay Times
April 23
U.S. Justice Dept. says Alameda County’s mental health care system is unconstitutional. Oaklandside
April 22
Oakland's Scathing Encampment Audit... Oaklandside
April 18
Oakland is Building a New App for its Homeless Residents. East Bay Times
April 15
Audit: Oakland's $12.6 million Homelessness Response Lacked Strategy, Direction. East Bay Times
April 14
Oakland Auditor's Performance Report on Homelessness Management. City of Oakland
April 13
What Do Oakland City Councilmembers want to do about Housing and Homelessness. Oaklandside.
April 2
Unique new housing caters to young people in need. East Bay Times
April 1
Two Oakland Non-Profits Have Burned. New Homeless Camp Policy Didn't Help..." East Bay Times
March 23
Oakland Eyes Old Lake Merritt Lodge and Hotels for Homeless Shelters. Oaklandside
March 23
Oakland Launches Guaranteed Income Pilot Program. KTVU
March 10
Oakland loses 'cabin' Homeless shelter near Lake Merritt. The Oaklandside
March 10
These Homeless Oaklanders Refused to Move, Now They're Pioneers. Mercury News
March 3
Oakland Mental Health Calls Could Be Run By Fire Department. East Bay Times
March 2
Oakland's Top Homelessness Official Steps Down. Mercury News
February 18
COVID-19 Vaccination for the Homeless Info Session. Everyone Home
February 11
Oakland got Millions in Covid-19 Emergency Funds. But It's running out. The Oaklandside
February 8
Homelessness Solutions in Alameda County. Alameda County update
January 23, 2021
Characteristics & Guidelines Co-Governed Homeless Encampments / Settlements
by the Homeless Advocacy Working Group (HAWG)
January 8, 2021
http://www.oaklandtenantsunion.org/. Tenant rights and help
December 18, 2020
City of Oakland Opens Clifton Hall to Unsheltered Seniors, Begins Moving in Families.
December 17
Helping the homeless: Channel your compassion in a safe way. SF Chronicle
December 15
Alameda County Votes to Extend Some Covid Hotels. Mercury News
December 3
Critics Blast Alameda County for Closing Most of Homeless Hotels. SF Chronicle
November 10
Mayor Schaaf Taps Homeless Commission Members. SF Chronicle
October 28
Oakland Granted $17M to Develop More Than 100 Units to House Unsheltered Residents
October 21
Oakland Passes Controversial New Homeless Encampment Policy. Mercury News
October 18
Letter to the Life Enrichment Committee RE: Homeless Management Policy ShelterOak
October 11
Checkout Time: Pandemic Hotel Rooms for Bay Area Homeless Residents Set to Close. Mercury News
September 28
Caltrans Closes Another Camp, As Homeless Oaklanders File Claims Against the State Agency. Oaklandside
September 28
Rent Moratorium Information from Homeless Advocacy Working Group
September 23
Oakland moves forward with new rules governing homeless encampments. Mercury News
September 22
State gives Oakland $20 million for homeless housing. Oaklandside
September 21
HAWG Response to the Proposed "Homeless Encampment Management Policy"
September 20
ShelterOak Letter to the Life Enrichment Committee RE: Homeless Management Policy
September 18
Oakland Seeks Volunteers to Help Shape Its Policies on Homelessness. East Bay Times
City of Oakland Seeks Applicants for New Homeless Advisory Commission
City of Oakland Awarded $4.5M in CARES Act Funding to Support Low and Moderate Income Renters and Homeowners Affected by COVID-19
September 13
Oakland Opens Additional Respite Centers in response to Unhealthy Air Quality
August 27
Oakland Wants to Buy More Than 20 Buildings for Homeless and Covid-19 Housing. The Oaklandside
August 13
County Deal to Buy Old Lake Merritt Lodge fro Covid-19 Shelter Collapses. The Oaklandside
August 5
Alameda County Emergency Rental Assistance Program. echofairhousing.org.
A Colorful Tiny House Village for Youth Is Opening in Oakland, The Oaklandside
July 21
CAL TRANS Ordered to Pay $2million for destroying Bay Area Homeless Camps. SF Chronicle
July 16
Governor Newsom Announces $600 million to fund 'HomeKey' Homeless Housing
July 6
Bay Area's Homeless Crisis Was Severe Before Coronavirus Made It Worse. SF Chronicle
June 29
Hotel Rooms Leased for Homeless in Alameda County Sit Empty. KCBS SF
June 24
Oakland Cty Council Approves Budget. SF Chronicle
June 21
How Bureaucracy kept the Bay Area doom Housing the Houseless. Salon
June 11
Oakland's Old Lake Merritt Lodge Will become a Homeless Shelter. Berkeleyside
June 9
Emeryville and Oakland Opening Family Matters Emergency Shelter
June 8
Advocates Push Back on Plan to Spend Parks and Homeless Services Funds on Oakland Police. Berkeleyside
June 3
Coronavirus Outbreak: 11 test positive at Oakland Homeless Encampment.
East Bay Times
May 27
Power Out For Days at Oakland RV Park For Homeless. KPIX SF
May 22
San Francisco Sanctions Once-shunned Homeless Encampments. AP news
May 18
COVID -19 Homeless and Housing Emergency Budget City of Oakland
May 12
HOW HAS COVID-19 IMPACTED HOMELESS ADVOCATES AND SERVICE PROVIDERS? thestreetspirit.org
May 6
Oakland Launches Operation Home Base to help unhoused residents... NBCBayArea
April 28
Officials Rush To prevent Outbreak After Oakland Homeless Camp Resident Tests Positive for COVID. Mercury News
April 24
Advocates Grade Local Efforts on COVID-19 & The Homeless
April 18
California Secures over 15000 Hotel Rooms for Homeless But is Slow To Fill Them East Bay Times
April 16
Updates on Oakland's Covid-19 Homeless Response Efforts, Office of Mayor
Response to Mayor's April 16 Covid-19 Homeless Efforts. ShelterOak (April 21)
April 15
The Utter Shame of Oakland, Alameda County, & the Unprotected Homeless in the Face of COVID-19 James Vann
April 5
County and State "Isolation" Hotel Program Moves Slowly During Crisis
April 2
Oakland Gets 91 Trailers to House Homeless during Covid19 Outbreak. Mercury News
April 1
More Than 4000 Hotel beds available for Homeless in East Bay. Mercury News
March 27
Oakland Passes Moratorium on Evictions Ordinance, Freezes Rents Until May 31. East Bay Times
March 24
Bay Area Gets Millions in Coronavirus Funding. Mercury News
March 19
California Rushes to Prevent Virus Spread Among the Homeless. AP News
March 18
Alameda County Meeting on Homelessness. ShelterOak
March 16
Alameda County Shelter-In-Place Order
March 12
Encampment Sanitation Stations expanded ShelterOak
March 5
Alameda County Updates on COVID-19. Alameda County
February 25
AC Board of Supervisors approve use of Broadway Complex for affordable housing development. ShelterOak
February 20
Caltrans to pay up to $5,500 to each homeless Bay Area resident affected by camp cleanups The State Worker
February 18
Homeless Californians Win new Protections in CAL Trans Settlement. Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights SF
February 7
Mayor Vows to House Twice as Many Homeless Residents This Year. East Bay Times
February 4
Oakland Clears Mosswood Park of Homeless Encampment . East Bay Times
January 30
Oakland Councilwoman To Introduce Moms-4-Housing Ordinance. Mercury News
January 29
Oakland Opens new Cabins for Homeless, Funded by Community Donations. East Bay Times
January 28
Board Of Supervisors and City Mayors Meet to discuss Homeless Strategies and Plan Ahead ShelterOak
January 16
Oakland Gets FEMA Trailers to House 70 Homeless People. SF Chronicle
January 13
Oakland Launches Homelessness Audit. KCBS SF
January 8
Governor Newsom previews Billion dollar Budget for Homeless Fund
January 7, 2020
The Oakland women who took over a vacant lot to house the homeless. The Guardian
December 23, 2019
OaklandCity Council Bi-Annual Budget For Homeless, FY 2019-2021
December 16
Supreme Court leaves cities with only one option for Homelessness: Build More Housing. LA Times
Supreme Court Lets Stand Ruling Permitting Homeless To Sleep Outside LA Times. SFist
December 12
Community Forum on the Installation of Oak Street Community Cabins , ShelterOak Archive
December 10
'Tiny Homes' for Working Homeless Headed to Castro Valley. KTVU
December 10
Oakland Collects Fee for Affordable Housing, but Funds Go Untracked. SF Chronicle
December 4
Oakland Proposes Crackdown on Homeless Campers in Parks and on Sidewalks. SF Chronicle
December 2
Alameda County Winter Shelter and Warming Station Resources
November 21
Oakland Failing to Collect Significant Amount of Affordable Housing Fees Its Entitled To. East Bay Times
November 19
Homeless Mothers, Activistst Take over a Vacant Oakland House. Mercury News
November 4
City of Oakland To Clear Out Wood Street Encampment. East Bay Times
October 26
Huts for the homeless catching on in the Northwest (2/26/19) KOMO News
October 25
"State of Emergency": California's Criminalization of Growing Homeless Encampments. Democracy Now
October 24
City Destroys Self-Made Homes. Post News Group
October 21
As Homelessness Surges in California, So does a Backlash. NY Times
October 20
Millions Spent on fixing Bay Area Homeless Crisis-- But where does the money go... KTVU
October 2
Advocate presentations on the Need for Affordable Housing to the Oakland Planning Commission
September 29
Alameda County Jail is empty, but costing $83,000 a month to maintain. SF Chronicle
Are Oakland's Cabins a Success? Oakland Advocates Question City Numbers. Sf Chronicle
Oakland Neighbors Raise Money for City's Cabin Program. Sf Chronicle
September 26
Governor Newsom Signs Series of Bills Addressing Homelessness
Septmeber 25
Alameda County Heat Advisory Resource and Cooling Centers
September 17,
Proposal presented to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors for use of County Properties for Homeless Needs.
September 12 (updated with endorsements)
Proposal for County of Alameda & City Of Oakland to Use 3 Alameda CountyProperties for Essential Homeless Needs
September 11
California Lawmakers Pass Sweeping Rent Cap Bill. East Bay Times
August 30
California Governor reaches 'historic' deal to cap Rising rents. East Bay Times
August 26
East Oakland Homeless Encampment Gets Reprieve. KCBS SF
August 15
Alameda County Homeless Count & Survey Comprehensive Report 2019. Everyone Home
August 1st
County Offers Oakland Jail as Homeless Shelter for $1 a year; Critics say Proposal is Inhumane. KTVU
July 31
Alameda County Agrees to Lease Former Jail to Oakland For Homeless Shelter. SF Chronicle
July 25
Everyone Home Comprehensive Point-in-Time 2019 Report of Alameda County
July 24
Oakland's Homeless Population Grows 47% in Two Years East Bay Times
July 22
Alameda County Regional Meeting on Homelessness. ShelterOak archive updated
Oakland Homelessness Surges 47%. SF Chronicle
July 17
Building More Permanent Housing Alone Won't Solve Homelessness in California. LA Times
July 12
Homeless Santa Rosans Win New Protection in Temporary Deal. Courthouse News
Oakland Real Estate Developer's Controversial Cash Stunt to Clear Homeless Camp Backfires. SF Chronicle
July 11
Interfaith Partnership Mobilization on Homelessness ShelterOak Archive
July 9
Oakland Council Member Bas' Homeless Report HAWG report
July 4
$44.4 more Million for Homeless. Oakland Post
We Have A Crisis Says Gov. Newsom Oakland Post
July 3
Oakland Opens its 5th Cabin Site for Homeless in West Oakland. SF Chron
July 2
'There's no way to stop this': Oakland braces for the arrival of tech firm Square. The Guardian
June 30
New Oakland City Budget, including improved funding for homeless crisis
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bVCR0qU7rkUAcCjY7e4p4rBnjfLSEEOZ/view
June 29
Town Hall: Housing Crisis in Oakland and Beyond. ShelterOak Archive
June 24
Oakland Opens Sanctioned RV-Dweller Park . East Bay Times
June 21
Oakland Launches Pilot Parking Program For Homeless Living in RV's. KPIX
Oakland Opens Bay Areas first 24/7 Safe Parking area for Homeless RV Dwellers. SF Chron
June 11
Alameda County Cooling Centers
June 8
Showdown between Mayors and Alameda County over funds for Homelessness. SF Chronicle
June 5
Oakland closes The Loophole on Tenant Inequality. HAWG
June 4
San Francisco to Force Treatment on Mentally ill drug users. AP News
June 1
Oakland City Council Member Kaplan's proposed revised Budget, seeks more funding for homeless
May 31
Coordinated Entry Flyer from Everyone Home
May 21
Gov. Newsom announces task force on homelessness... KTVU Oakland
May 16
It's Not Getting Better -- Homelessness Spikes in South Bay, East Bay. East Bay Times
May 15
Letter to Oakland's Life Enrichment Committee, From James Vann, Homeless Advocacy Working Group
April 12
Bay Area has the 3rd Largest Homeless Population in Country; nearly 70% have No Shelter. KQED.org
April 10
How Much Would it Cost to House the Bay Area homeless? Try 12.7 billion The Mercury News
Regional Plan Needed to Solve the Bay Area Homeless Crisis. SF Chronicle
April 2
"Its a Crisis:" Neighbors say homelessness and fires are a common occurrence in Oakland. KTVU
March 29
Opinion: Why four Alameda council members back homeless center. The Mercury News
March 12
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATION #HCSA-900419 - HOUSING SOLUTIONS FOR HEALTH VENDOR
February 26
Meet Oakland California's First Self-Governed City-Sanctioned Homeless Camp. Invisiblepeople.tv
February 14
Oakland Clears Homeless Encampments by Lake Merritt. The Mercury News
February 13
Homeless Residents Run Bike Shop Behind Children's Fairyland. KPIX News report
February 6
S.F. Development Will Serve Low-Income Residents, Homeless Youth, housingfinance.com
February 1st
Oakland Clears out Homeless Encampment in Fruitvale, East Bay Times
January 31
City Crews clear big homeless Encampment in Oakland. ABC7 News
January 30
Counting homeless people in Oakland: ‘A reminder of how horrible it is to be living outside’ SF Chronicle
January 16
Homeless Advocacy Working Group report on Meeting with Mayor Schaaf & City Officials
January 15
Kaiser Permanente to spend $5.2 million on affordable housing in Oakland. The Mercury News
January 10, 2019
The Long Road away from street living..." S.F. Chronicle
December 19, 2018
The Year Homeless People Fought Back, East Bay Express
December 18
Oakland City Council Approves $8.6 million Emergency Funding, City of Oakland
December 13
Homelessness in Bay Area -- It's Worse Than We Thought. Mercury News
December 6
After 11th Hour Reprieve, Crews Return and Evict Oakland Homeless Encampment. KQED
December 1
White Lies, Privilege, Power and Race. The Sun, December 2018 issue
November 28
A Potential Turning Point in How Cities Treat the Homeless. Governing The States & Localities
November 13
Federal Judge Blocks Oakland from Removing Homeless Camp, East Bay Express
October 30
Oakland announces HEAP funds to be used for additional Tuff Shed and RV projects
October 25
Homeless Residents Protest Continuing Closure of Lake Merritt Campsites, East Bay Express
October 24
Oakland activists protest ‘cruel and inhuman’ treatment of homeless after scathing UN report, Mercury News
October 19
Report of the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living, and on the right to non-discrimination in this context, Published Sept 18, 2018, United Nations, (Section 10, #46, Oakland) see Press Release
October 17
Oakland Council Approved Increase in Shelter Beds while displacing Homeless Encampment, Oakland North
October 15
Oakland’s new $9 million preventive program: A homelessness solution? East Bay Times
October 2
Oakland to Clear LM Homeless Encampments, open Tuff Shed units, S.F. Chronicle
October 1
Landlords Take Aim against Three Oakland Ballots, East Bay Express
September 26
Oakland and Berkeley Homeless Sweeps May be Unconstitutional, East Bay Express
September 19
Forces Driving Gentrification In Oakland, East Bay Express
Is the Only Way to Make Housing Affordable By De-Commodifying It? East Bay Express
Opening the Door For Rent Control, Haas Institute
September 18
Clinic Study Details How Business Districts Target Homeless People, Berkeley Law Policy Advocacy Clinic
Residents Report Being Evicted From Tuff Shed Camp, East Bay Express
September 17
Oakland has Sheds For Lake Merritt homeless, but most Famous isn't interested, SF Chronicle
September 11
Fire at "The Village" Homeless Camp in East Oakland Displaces 37 people, East Bay Express
September 10
Oakland Plans to Ban Homeless from Camping around Lake Merritt, East Bay Express
September 5
Laws Punishing Homeless People for Sleeping in Public are Cruel and Unusual, Court Rules, New York Times
September 1st
San Francisco Rolls Out Long Awaited System to Track, Help Homeless, San Francisco Chronicle
August 15
$190 Million in 'non-competitive' grants available from the State to house homeless or near homeless with serious mental illness. California Housing and Community Development sponsoring funding workshops. State Grant
August 14
Webinar: Home, Together: The Federal Strategic Plan To Prevent and End Homelessness
August 12
Oakland Overhaul: Massive Building Boom Leads to Major Changes, Mercury News / East Bay Times, includes map of housing construction sites in Oakland
August 10
The second Public Discussion on a draft of Alameda County's effort to reduce and end homelessness,
"2018 Strategic Plan"
July 31
Alameda County Homelessness Council / Board of Supervisors Retreat (see posts)
July 30
30 fire extinguishers provided by Battalion One Fire Protection of San Leandro were distributed by Advocates to encampments as part of a basic fire safety measure. Recent encampment fires have occurred at Peralta Park, Snow Park, Lake Merritt and Northgate.
July 10
Gentrification and Homeless in Oakland. Mercury News / East Bay Times report
June 29
Unhoused at Union Point Park Harassed, Threatened, Cited, and Evicted onto Dangerous Street. Indybay.org
June 28
Nino Parker and the encampment Green Teams featured in East Bay Express.
Homeless Camps Becoming Entrenched in Oakland, SF Chronicle
June 21
Cityteam helping people struggling with homelessness and hunger. KTVU report
June 19
$8.6 million will be allocated to The City of Oakland as part of a recently passed state fund to address the homeless crisis in cities throughout California.
May 8
Homeless Greet New Tuff Sheds with Hesitation, Hope. Mercury News
Tuff Sheds at Northgate also bring closure of largest city encampment, East Bay Express
April 25
Oakland Expands Tuff Shed Program. East Bay Times
March 11
Deaths of Homeless People Go Uncounted in Oakland -- and most Places. SF Chronicle story
February 22
Final Report and Recommendations on Homelessness in Alameda County, Urban.org
January 21, 2018
United Nations Expert Describes Oakland and California's Homeless Crisis as Cruel. East Bay Express
December 15, 2017
Advocates Push Oakland Officials to Treat Homelessness as an Emergency by Lucas Guilkey, Originally posted on Oakland North
