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Staff tell Berkeley council homelessness has fallen since 2019 but warn of funding risks
Summary
City staff told the Berkeley City Council that unsheltered homelessness has dropped about 45% since 2019 and outlined prevention and subsidy pilots, while warning that continued progress depends on sustained federal, state and local funding.
City of Berkeley staff presented an overview of the city's homelessness response at the July 29 special meeting, highlighting progress and persistent risks. Josh Jacobs, the city's homeless services coordinator, said the city has seen notable progress while urging sustained funding and regional coordination.
"Since 2019, we're getting a 45% drop in unsheltered homelessness," Jacobs said, describing that decline as the product of coordinated outreach, targeted investments and cross-departmental partnerships. He told the council that nearly 60% of people experiencing homelessness in Berkeley identify as Black, while Black residents constitute about 8% of the city's overall population, a disparity Jacobs framed as central to service planning and equity efforts.
Staff outlined a three-pronged coordination strategy — preventing homelessness, increasing rapid exits from the street and leveraging resources — and described a 2022 pilot subsidy that provides up to $1,800 per month for up to three years. "The pilot has served over 50 households and has helped them remain stably housed," a presenter said.
Aubrey, another presenter, said Berkeley has one of the lowest eviction filing rates in Alameda County and credited tenant protections and an extended eviction moratorium for that outcome. Aubrey cited a 2024 county figure of about 4.4 eviction filings per 1,000 renter households and said the city's low rate reflects stronger tenant protections compared with neighboring cities.
Staff repeatedly warned that many of the programs cited rely on state and federal funding streams and that loss of those funds would put low-barrier noncongregate shelters and other effective programs at risk. Staff offered to provide more expansive materials and follow-up answers to council referrals and questions; the meeting then continued with council Q&A and further agenda work.
Why it matters: The presentation combined performance data, program-level examples and equity framing to show both measurable progress and vulnerabilities tied to external funding. Council members are positioned to use the forthcoming detailed materials and fiscal update to guide budget decisions and referrals.
