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Berkeley staff highlight progress in reducing unsheltered homelessness and warn of funding risks
Summary
City staff told the Berkeley City Council that the city has seen measurable reductions in unsheltered homelessness but cautioned that those gains depend on state and federal funding, placing low-barrier shelter and rental-assistance programs at risk if grants lapse.
Peter (manager of neighborhood services) told the Berkeley City Council on July 29 that the city has made significant progress on homelessness but faces continued financial and operational risk. "The existence of homelessness is really, a serious failure of our democracy," the city manager said as staff framed the presentation on system performance and gaps.
Josh Davis, identified in the meeting as the city's home services coordinator, said staff data show a 45% drop in unsheltered homelessness since 2019 and that the most recent point-in-time count sheltered more people than in previous years. He attributed those gains to coordinated outreach, low-barrier and non-congregate shelter options and cross-departmental partnerships, but cautioned that those programs are "most at risk of losing money" because they rely on state and federal resources.
Staff described the city's three-pronged strategy adopted in 2021: preventing homelessness, increasing interim shelter and services, and expanding permanent housing. Aubrey, a member of the housing team introduced by staff, outlined a 2022 pilot rental-assistance program that provides up to $1,800 a month for as long as three years; staff said the pilot has served more than 50 households and focuses on elders, people with disabilities and households with minor children.
Presentation materials referenced a geographic-equity map, eviction-filing rates in Alameda County and the city's tenant protections, and noted work to respond to a May 20, 2025 council referral on homelessness. Staff warned that, without additional funding, programs that helped reduce street homelessness could scale back or close, putting people at risk of returning to the street.
Council members were given an overview and an opportunity to ask questions; staff said the full work-session report contains additional detail on system performance, needs and fiscal position and offered to respond to council referrals and follow-up questions.
