Dear Neighbors,
Homelessness is one of the most visible challenges we face in Berkeley and also one of the most urgent to solve. I’m proud to report that our city is making measurable progress: unsheltered homelessness has dropped by 45%, and overall homelessness is down 20% over the past two years.
That success didn’t happen by accident. It came from your support at the ballot box, coordinated leadership at City Hall, and real financial investment in housing, shelter, prevention, and behavioral health.
Berkeley’s Comprehensive Homelessness Response
Since 2020, Berkeley has opened or funded over 790 units of interim and permanent housing, and provided housing or shelter to over 2,100 individuals. Here’s how:
Housing and Shelter Projects:
- Hope Center: 53 units
- Golden Bear Homes: 70 units
- University Homes: 17 rooms for older adults
- Premier Cru, Dwight Way Studios, Jordan Court, St. Paul Terrace, and others: over 250 combined units
- Capri, Campus, and Beyond Horizon motels: 77 rooms of non-congregate shelter
- Safe RV Site (8th & Harrison): Up to 40 vehicle spaces
- Pathways STAIR Center + emergency shelters: 100+ combined beds
Prevention and Services:
- Over 940 households received emergency rental assistance
- 54 extremely low-income households receive monthly subsidies up to $1,800
- Expanded mobile crisis teams, housing navigation, and mental health outreach
- Eviction filings in Berkeley are now the lowest in Alameda County
Cost of the Response: Transparent and Substantial
One-Time Acquisition & Construction:
- Permanent housing projects (e.g., Hope Center, Golden Bear, Premier Cru):
Over $100 million in combined construction and acquisition costs - Motel conversions and capital upgrades:
Tens of millions more, funded largely through Homekey, Measure O, and state grants
Ongoing Operations:
| Program/Facility | Annual Operating Cost | Funding Ends |
| Men’s & Women’s Shelters (24/7) | $603,000 | Dec 2025 |
| Capri, Campus, Beyond Horizon (77 rooms) | $7.2 million | 2027-28 |
| Golden Bear & University Homes (services for 87 rooms) | $1.43 million | 2030-33 |
These operational costs fund staffing, housing navigation, case management, hygiene facilities, security, and wraparound care including mental health and recovery support.
A Win: County Commits Measure W Funds
In June, I joined my colleagues on the City Council to urge Alameda County to allocate Measure W funds—voter-approved in 2020—to support this life-saving work.
Thanks to that advocacy and pressure from communities across the region, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors has now committed 85% of Measure W revenue to housing and homelessness, as originally intended.
🔗 Read the Council’s full letter to the County »
What Berkeley Will Prioritize with These Funds
- Continued operation of motel shelters, including case management and 24/7 services
- Extension of Safe RV and Safe Parking programs
- Expanded shallow subsidies for extremely low-income tenants
- Creation of new family and senior shelter programs (pending site identification)
- Support for the Small Sites Program to preserve affordable housing
- Strengthened behavioral health and mobile crisis outreach
How You Can Help
Berkeley has led on this issue—and now we have the regional backing to sustain our momentum. Here’s how you can support this work:
- Stay informed and share what’s working
- Advocate for continued investments in housing and services
- Volunteer or donate to local service providers
- Continue supporting smart, compassionate public policy
Together, we can protect the progress we’ve made—and ensure that every resident of Berkeley has the chance to live with dignity and stability.
In partnership,
Terry Taplin
Councilmember, District 2
City of Berkeley