Alameda County Sees Encouraging Drop in Homelessness as Oakland Leads Decline
Preliminary point-in-time count shows homelessness down 13% countywide, with sharp decreases in Oakland, Alameda, Hayward, and Albany amid expanding Measure W investments
☕️MORNING BUZZ
Vol. VI, No. 1,272
—Overall homelessness in Alameda County has declined 13 percent over the past two years, offering the strongest sign yet that local and countywide strategies to combat homelessness may be gaining traction.
More than 8,200 people remain homeless across Alameda County, including roughly 5,200 living unsheltered on the streets, according to the preliminary point-in-time count conducted in January.
Still, the latest numbers continue a positive trend after the county reported a 3 percent decline in homelessness in 2024.
Oakland, which still accounts for a slight majority of the county’s homeless population, posted one of the most notable improvements.
The city recorded a 20 percent reduction in homelessness, representing 1,075 fewer people in the latest count.
“Oakland is on the move,” said Mayor Barbara Lee during Tuesday’s press conference outside the county administration building in Oakland. “We worked together and today’s proof is that we are doing the right thing.”
The City of Alameda also reported a dramatic turnaround, with homelessness falling nearly 50 percent following a sizable increase recorded two years ago.
“This outcome shows what is possible when a city invests in compassionate, proactive programs and services to support residents in need,” said Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft.
Other cities posting significant declines included Hayward and Albany, while more modest reductions were reported in Union City, Newark, and Emeryville.
The picture was less encouraging in Livermore, Fremont, Berkeley, and Alameda County’s unincorporated areas, all of which saw increases in their homeless counts.
Tuesday’s announcement also highlighted the growing role of Measure W, the countywide half-cent sales tax approved by voters in 2020 to fund homelessness prevention, supportive services, and affordable housing.
The measure is expected to generate more than $1.8 billion before it sunsets in 2031.
Preliminary Alameda County Point-In Time Count
Oakland 4,410 (-1,075)
Berkeley 880 (+36)
Fremont 852 (+45)
Hayward 404 (-108)
Livermore 343 (+66)
Unic. Alameda County 325 (+31)
San Leandro 296 (+12)
Alameda 242 (-213)
Union City 141 (-50)
Newark 71 (-5)
Albany 61 (-39)
Dublin 40 (+15)
Emeryville 34 (-4)
Piedmont 6 (+3)
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