Alameda County reparations commission hears updates on state funding, housing program and justice and health work

The Alameda County Reparations Commission met and approved its minutes before turning to updates from an ad hoc committee and several subcommittees on justice, housing and health.

Commissioner McClendon moved to approve the minutes and the motion was seconded; the clerk called the roll and recorded 'Aye' votes from the commissioners listed, and the minutes were approved. The motion to approve the minutes was made by Commissioner McClendon (speaker 4) and recorded as passed by roll call.

Chair (speaker 1) updated the commission that the ad hoc committeerequest for a term extension and the accompanying budget (space and stipends) had not yet been placed on the Board of Supervisors' agenda. Tona (speaker 5), who staff the ad hoc logistics, told commissioners, "The ad hoc committee meeting next week is to just discuss all those items," and confirmed that the meeting begins Tuesday at 4 p.m. in the Board Chambers and will consider the scope of work and the itemized budget.

Commissioners discussed outreach to the supervisors who appointed them and the use of the Tuesday meeting to move items forward. The commission decided to keep its August meeting on the calendar pending outcomes from the ad hoc meeting; no action was taken to cancel the August meeting.

On public safety, Commissioner James Knowles (speaker 3) said the safety and criminal justice subcommittee has had scheduling challenges but is weighing whether to focus first on Alameda County Probation's juvenile division or adult services. Knowles said he favors beginning with the juvenile division, citing an assessment tool used there and noting an approximate count that "there's maybe 70 kids in juvenile hall" in a facility built for many more; he recommended the subcommittee pursue data and appropriate probation contacts to determine next steps.

On housing, Knowles summarized the county's AC Boost homeownership/down-payment assistance program. He reported that at inception the program had roughly $38,000,000 available; the county received nearly 6,000 applications, of which 228 were approved and 22 remained pending. Knowles said down-payment awards were described in the presentation as ranging from $150,000 to $250,000 and that the program currently lists a limit of "$170,438" for selected lottery recipients; he said the application process takes about nine months and that the county requested additional time to complete decision stages.

In health and education, Knowles reviewed a presentation from the Alameda County Public Health Commission that included outreach to Native American, Hispanic and African American communities, a wellness hub located at 1918 Martin Luther King Way in Oakland, and an ongoing health coach apprenticeship run through the county's Health Care Services Agency with Chabot College as a lead partner. Knowles said the apprenticeship is partly funded with Measure A dollars but still seeks long-term support and that program leaders aim to involve up to "1,000 kids." Phil Gardner (speaker 6), who identified himself as a public health doctor, stressed that health disparities are longstanding and said repair work must address those systemic harms.

Commissioners also noted state-level movement on reparations. Commissioner Knowles shared an article reporting that "it's up to $12,000,000 that has been put into the state budget for this year," and the body agreed to track how state funds and any implementing legislation would affect the commission's local work.

The commission closed by confirming follow-up steps: distribution of materials about the state budget item to commissioners through the clerk, attendance at the ad hoc committee meeting where the extension and budget will be discussed, and continued subcommittee work on juvenile justice, housing program details and health apprenticeship partnerships. The meeting was adjourned.