Alameda County sets path for Measure W homelessness funds
County supervisors agree on 80% of accrued Measure W funds for strategies to fight homelessness; County moves closer to getting out of the stadium business; Only 22% of OPD officers live in Oakland
☕️MORNING BUZZ
—In a packed special meeting with overflow viewers tuned in from across the street and online, Alameda County supervisors took a significant step toward shaping how to spend the $1.83 billion expected from Measure W, the half-cent sales tax voters narrowly passed in 2020 to address homelessness.
The county plans to divide Measure W revenue into three key "buckets": the Home Together Fund, the county’s long-term strategy to combating homelessness; an Essential County Services Fund; and creation of a “prudent reserve.”
The latest estimates show the tax will generate $1.83 billion by its sunset in 2031, said Alameda County Administrator Susan Muranishi.
In the meantime, $810 million in additional sales tax revenue plus interest earned has accrued since July 2021. County staff estimates that Measure W will produce $170 million annually going forward.
CONSENSUS: After hours of public comment and deliberation (the special meeting ended shortly before 10 p.m. on Tuesday), the Board coalesced around allocating 80 percent of Measure W funds toward homelessness solutions, a compromise between the 90 percent some supervisors favored and the 80 percent minimum being floated due to concerns about fiscal uncertainty.
Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas noted the region needs $2.5 billion over five years to make a meaningful dent in the crisis. She urged the county to earmark any revenue above the $170 million-per-year projection for the Home Together Plan, arguing additional federal funding from a future Trump administration was unlikely.
Supervisor Nate Miley voiced skepticism about projected spending needs for solving the homelessness crisis, saying, “If they can’t get results with $1.4 billion, I don’t know what they’re doing.”
Supervisor Lena Tam supported the 80/20 split due to looming federal budget cuts. Supervisor Elisa Márquez also emphasized that cities are bearing the brunt of the homelessness crisis and called for significant funds to be directed toward community-based organizations.
MAYORS MADE THIR CASE: Mayors from Oakland, Berkeley, Fremont, and Alameda, addressing the board during public comment, expressed unified support for dedicating 100 percent of Measure W funds to homelessness.
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee urged for her city to receive its fair share the funding, noting that 58 percent of the county’s unhoused individuals live in Oakland. “The need is urgent and undeniable,” she said.
“If Oakland is okay, then the whole county is okay,” Oakland Councilmember Ken Houston added.
HOMELESSNESS BY REGION
Oakland/Piedmont - 58%
Mid-County (Alameda, San Leandro, Hayward, Uninc. ALCO) - 16%
South County (Fremont, Newark, Union City) - 11%
North County (Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville) - 10%
East County (Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton) - 5%
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—More inside:
COUNTY NEWS: Elected officials talk first, public waits on Measure W discussion.
County inches closer to elusive Coliseum deal, but no celebration yet.
CITY NEWS: OPD staffing still below target as new academy class begins; just 63 officers live in Oakland.
Oakland councilmembers shrug off worrisome license-plate reader report, focus on crime reduction.
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