Homelessness Solutions and Housing Stability

Mayor Lee established a new Office of Homelessness Solutions and appointed a Chief Homelessness Solutions Officer to lead a strategic plan with a clear goal: cut unsheltered homelessness in half within five years. The plan focuses on five key areas — prevention, services, encampment cleanup, emergency shelter, and permanent affordable housing — recognizing that 90% of people who receive permanent housing with support stay housed.

To expand resources, Mayor Lee partnered with Big City Mayors to advocate for $1 billion in state HHAP funding and pushed Alameda County to direct Measure W dollars where homelessness is most concentrated — Oakland represents just 22 percent of Alameda County’s total population. Yet our city is home to nearly 54 percent of all unhoused individuals in the county.

And more troubling still: Oakland accounts for the majority of the county’s unhoused Black residents.

On the ground, Mayor Lee's administration broke ground on 267 units of affordable housing across four projects with 180 units reserved for people exiting homelessness, celebrated grand openings of completed affordable housing projects, and has 1,600 affordable units under construction or breaking ground in 2026 — with 800 targeted homeless exits.

Coordinated Homelessness Response

• Created Office of Homelessness Solutions

• Appointed Chief Homelessness Solutions Officer

• Advanced Homelessness Strategic Action Plan

• Goal: reduce unsheltered homelessness by 50% in five years

• Focused on ramping up strategies and programs already demonstrating results

• The Mayor’s plan addresses five key areas:

  • Preventing people from becoming homeless

  • Improving access to services

  • Managing homeless camps and neighborhood health

  • Improving interim housing

  • Building permanent housing

• Last summer, the City held 10 community feedback sessions and two focus groups with people who have experienced homelessness to help shape the plan and ensure community-informed solutions

Housing Investments

• 1,600 affordable housing units under construction or breaking ground

• 800 units tied to homelessness exits

• Broke ground on 267 affordable housing units across four projects

• 180 units reserved for residents exiting homelessness

Regional and State Advocacy

• Advocated for $1 billion in state HHAP funding

• Advocated for equitable Measure W distribution

• Built partnerships with Big City Mayors and Alameda County leaders