Alameda Declares State of Emergency on Homelessness

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors has declared a state of emergency on homelessness. The declaration passed last week with unanimous approval.

Like so many other jurisdictions, Alameda has thrown hundreds of millions of dollars at the problem, only to see homeless figures increase. Alameda County experienced a 22% increase in unsheltered residents between 2017 and 2022 (5,629 to 9,747).

The declaration will allow Alameda to seek more state and federal resources. It will also allow the county to hire staff and approve housing more quickly.

Alameda’s emergency declaration follows similar moves in L.A. County. Both L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and the L.A. County Board of Supervisors have declared states of emergency on homelessness in the past year.