Meeting Overview

The Berkeley City Council held a special meeting on September 16, 2025, primarily focused on addressing homelessness in the city. The meeting featured presentations from city officials, including Peter Radu from the Neighborhood Services Division, Josh Jacobs, the Homeless Services Coordinator, and Asavaree Devadiga, a Housing Development Specialist. The City Auditor also presented findings from an audit of the city's Homeless Response Team (HRT). The meeting included detailed discussions on homelessness strategies, financial challenges, and coordination with county resources.

Main Agenda Items

• Homelessness Strategy and Challenges: The council discussed the complexities of homelessness in Berkeley, influenced by regional trends and economic inequalities. Despite a 45% reduction in unsheltered homelessness since 2019, challenges persist due to the high rate of people falling into homelessness. The city's strategy focuses on preventing homelessness, increasing interim housing, and expanding permanent housing and services.

• Financial Sustainability: Concerns were raised about the sustainability of current programs, which rely heavily on temporary state and federal funding. The council discussed the fiscal implications of homelessness initiatives, noting a decline in projected spending due to reduced revenue from Measure P and the expiration of state grants.

• Coordination and Data Management: The meeting highlighted issues with the coordination of services, particularly during a period when the HRT had paused meetings with service providers due to legal actions. Data management challenges were also discussed, with limited access to the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) hindering service provision.

• Public Transparency and Accountability: The audit revealed gaps in reporting and transparency, with recommendations for improving public access to information and tracking outcomes more effectively. The council emphasized the importance of transparency in managing homelessness initiatives.

• Regional Collaboration: Discussions included the need for regional collaboration, particularly with Alameda County, to ensure Berkeley receives adequate funding and support. The council explored potential partnerships for larger-scale programs, such as a regional safe parking initiative.

• Permanent Supportive Housing: The council discussed the pipeline for new affordable housing units, including permanent supportive housing, and the challenges in securing funding to bring these projects to fruition.

Decisions Made

• Audit Acceptance and Recommendations: The council accepted the City Auditor's report, which included recommendations for improving coordination and transparency in the city's homelessness response. The HRT agreed to implement these recommendations, including formalizing coordination structures and improving data workflows.

• Staffing Adjustments: An additional position was approved to assist the HRT, aiming to enhance responsiveness and coordination with other city departments.

• Engagement with County Resources: The council committed to engaging more actively with Alameda County to secure funding and support for homelessness initiatives, emphasizing the importance of a coordinated regional approach.

• Future Planning and Advocacy: The council expressed a commitment to strategic planning and advocacy to address the financial challenges facing homelessness initiatives, including exploring new funding sources and innovative service delivery models.

Overall, the meeting underscored the complexity of addressing homelessness in Berkeley, highlighting the need for sustained efforts, financial sustainability, and regional collaboration to support vulnerable populations effectively.