Homelessness increased in Oakland, Hayward, Alameda; decreased in Berkeley, Fremont, San Leandro

Price to recallers: 'We are ready for you!' Health care workers contribute to campaign opposing recall; Three San Leandro CMs bullied colleague after most of her ideas ended up as council priorities

COUNTY NEWS

HOMELESSNESS

—UNEVEN STRATEGIES—Homelessness in Alameda County dropped by three percent overall over the last two years, according to the results of a point-in-time count conducted in January. In addition, those seeking assistance for homeless services are up 19 percent.

—The number of veterans, individuals under 25-years-old, and entire families challenged by homelessness have also been reduced.

—The encouraging point-in-time results, however, are tempered by Oakland’s continuing struggles with homelessness.

—A majority of the 8,751 unhoused individuals in Alameda County are in Oakland, which saw a nine percent increase in homelessness (5,490 individuals), according to the point-in-time results.

—Homelessness in Hayward increased by 30 percent over the past two years, amounting to 495 unhoused individuals.

—The results will likely raise concerns in both Oakland and Hayward city halls. Both cities have directed large amounts of resources to reducing homelessness.

—Similarly, questions about the city of Alameda’s response to homelessness will be under scrutiny after its unhoused population increased by 72 percent over the past two years, increasing from 264 individuals in 2022 to 455 in 2024.

—Albany, Dublin, Livermore, Newark also saw increased homelessness, but the numbers were modest total increases.

—Unincorporated Alameda County experienced a 42 percent decrease in homelessness. It’s a number that will surely be touted by local housing providers who have argued the county’s proposed rent control ordinances are unnecessary.

—Solutions for combating homelessness appear to be working in Berkeley, Emeryville, Fremont, Piedmont, San Leandro, and Union City, according to the point-in-time results.

MORE INSIDE:

• COUNTY NEWS: DA Price strikes a defiant tone

• Price had talking points for her supporters, but they dropped them on the ground

• A sign that labor may help Price avoid a recall

• Election watchdog protests youth voting in Oakland, Berkeley

• CITY NEWS: Labor’s attack on Oakland’s finance director raises eyebrows

• What’s Derreck Johnson up to?

• San Leandro councilmen didn’t do their homework, ridiculed colleague that did

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