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Alameda County

An Oakland Homeless Shelter Is Showing How a Housing and Healthcare First Approach Can Work

Hundreds of tents and abandoned vehicles now dot major streets and neighborhoods of the Bay Area. Unfortunately, this problem is expected to worsen as the housing market skyrockets and the cost of living becomes unattainable for most Americans.

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Oak Days shelter, once a Days Hotel, resides in the Hegenberger corridor of Oakland. It is used as a temporary home to 60 residents who have experienced chronic homelessness or are medically vulnerable. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.
Oak Days shelter, once a Days Hotel, resides in the Hegenberger corridor of Oakland. It is used as a temporary home to 60 residents who have experienced chronic homelessness or are medically vulnerable. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

By Magaly Muñoz

Hundreds of tents and abandoned vehicles now dot major streets and neighborhoods of the Bay Area. Unfortunately, this problem is expected to worsen as the housing market skyrockets and the cost of living becomes unattainable for most Americans.

As one of California’s biggest public policy challenges, over the past four years, the state has allocated nearly $20 billion to housing and homelessness initiatives. Despite this substantial investment, the issue does not seem to be easing. Instead, the number of people without stable housing is surging.

A 2022 Point In Time (PIT) Count showed that there were 9,747 homeless individuals living on the streets in Alameda County, an almost 22% increase from the 2019 count of 8,022 homeless individuals. Many reports estimate that this number will rise once the 2024 data is released.

Amongst the many initiatives to end homelessness, the 2016 Senate Bill 1380 established California as a “housing first” state that would provide assistance, programs and funding to those experiencing homelessness. The bill recognized that the evidence-based model of prioritizing housing could end all types of homelessness and is the most effective approach to ending chronic homelessness.

In the years following the passage of the law, doctors, county officials and a community organization came together to create a first of its kind shelter to combat homelessness with housing and healthcare: the Oak Days shelter. Located in the Hegenberger corridor of Oakland, this facility, once a Days Hotel, now houses 60 individuals, some who are medically fragile.

As local counties navigated how to isolate people during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the state obtained federal funding to begin Project Roomkey, an initiative providing non-congregate shelter options, such as hotels and motels for people experiencing homelessness, to protect life and minimize strain on the healthcare system.

Dr. Alexis Chettiar, a medical director in Alameda County, witnessed firsthand how the coronavirus disease took over the lives of the most vulnerable populations who were too sick to remain stable unless they had hands-on supportive health care and permanent housing.

She also noticed a trend of medically vulnerable individuals with psychiatric illnesses or substance abuse issues being expelled from nursing homes, often ending up in encampments or unsheltered conditions.

This observation would inspire her, along with fellow medical director Catherine Hayes, to start Cardea Health, supported by county funding.

“What we really wanted to do was to be able to layer on the medical services to a permanent supportive housing environment so that people could age in place, they could stay there, no matter how their care needs change over time. They could stay there through the end of their life,” Chettiar said.

Cardea Health provides medical and personal care for almost 60 patients across two sites. One of these sites is an Old Comfort Inn that was also transformed into a shelter for those experiencing homelessness and chronic illnesses. The medical team assists with tasks such as injecting insulin, administering dialysis, helping patients use the restroom or get dressed.

Chettiar shared that she’s seen people as young as 40 years old with health-related issues mimicking that of an 80-year-old. Some individuals had untreated wounds that led to infections or chronic illnesses that went untreated for years, leading to immense suffering before they were able to receive medical attention.

The harsh conditions of living on the streets have exacerbated what could’ve been manageable situations, into a full-blown health crisis that ultimately put them on the priority list for Cardea’s health assistance.

UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative conducted a survey of 3,200 people to study who is experiencing homelessness, how they became homeless, what their experiences are and what is preventing them from exiting homelessness.

Data from those surveys showed that 45% of those experiencing homelessness reported poor or fair health and 60% reported having a chronic illness. Participants also reported that being homeless worsened their physical and mental health.

Of those experiencing health problems, 23% couldn’t access necessary healthcare in the prior six months. Additionally, 38% visited emergency departments without hospitalization and 21% reported a hospitalization for a physical health concern.

Chettiar stated that the work at Cardea is intended to reduce hospital visits for those living on the streets, providing essential care where it’s needed most.

The county announced in February that they obtained federal and state grants to transform Oak Days into permanent housing. 140 units will be available to those experiencing chronic homelessness, 60 of those units set aside specifically for those with medical needs.

“It’s very hard for someone to be well if they don’t have a safe place to be and they don’t have a home. So I think the more that we start to think of housing as a health care need, the more successful we’re going to be,” Colleen Budenholzer, Alameda Housing Portfolio Manager, said.

Budenholzer manages sites like Oak Days through the county’s Office of Homeless Care and Coordination. She previously worked for the Coordinated Entry Program, which refers people to resources that assist them in ending their homelessness.

Budenholzer and former Housing Portfolio manager Mona Palacios acknowledged a direct connection to health and housing, saying that the healthcare outcomes and life expectancy rates are much different to that of the average person.

They explained that although some in the shelter who are not under care for the medically frail have transitioned out of Oak Days into other permanent housing, the majority of those under Cardea’s assistance are receiving end of life care to make the time they have left more comfortable.

The county hopes to create and fund programs that will assist with those who are not in such drastic needs, but for now, that is where their resources and focus lies.

In 2020, Alameda announced a new plan called Home Together 2026 to reduce homelessness and housing issues in the county. Researchers and officials estimated that it would take $2.6 billion and the building of over 24,000 units and subsidy slots to achieve their goals.

Palacios stated that although the plan is certainly a step in the right direction, the only thing that will truly help address homelessness is the decrease in the cost of living across the country.

“Housing is just too expensive for people whether it’s homeownership or rental. It’s going to continue to be a problem, not just in the Bay Area, not just California. It seems like a nationwide problem,” Palacios said.

Steve Good, president and CEO of Five Keys, told the Post that while housing-first is key, it is not the end all to help individuals once they’re able to receive those services. He believes more resources should go to address individuals’ complex needs that often stem from their unsheltered times.

“We still need more rooms, but we need a hell of a lot more money pumped into mental health and substance abuse issues. And we need to have better enforcement programs in place to get people off the streets so they’re not dying with needles in their arms or laying in their own feces,” Good said.

Five Keys is a nonprofit that focuses on workforce development, education, reentry and housing, and oversees the staff at Oak Days, who manage the site as it transitions into permanent housing. Staff works directly with the residents at the shelter to help them with their everyday needs, aside from what they require from Cardea Health.

Those involved at Oak Days acknowledged that solutions are far and few in between, citing systemic barriers that force and keep these individuals on the streets, such as lack of access to healthcare, racial barriers, lack of mental health resources, the housing crisis and more.

But despite the continuous struggle to bring more awareness to the issue, Oak Days is showing that empathy and prioritization from county organizations and departments can alleviate the stress on these vulnerable individuals.

Residents can be seen and heard boasting about the staff at the shelter, stating that without Cardea or Five Keys, they would still be on the streets or dead. Some residents have even gone on to finding jobs and leaving the shelter because of the support that was offered to them that allowed them to get back on their feet after years of suffering.

Chettiar reported that the shelter has seen an 80% reduction in use of hospitals, emergency rooms and emergency psychiatric services for people who are assisted by Cardea and Five Keys, which translates to about $8 million in medical and healthcare savings.

New sites, similar to Oak Days, are scheduled to open as soon as 2025. Cardea Health and Five Keys will be a part of assisting these future developments.

“We’ve got a long way to go but it’s been a huge improvement for so many people who really had had no options for a very long time,” Chettiar said.

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Activism

Former U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee Reflects on Her Career as She Bids Farewell to Congress

“Together, we have raised our voices and pushed the envelope for peace, justice and equity. It has been the honor of a lifetime to provide constituent services, deliver federal investments to my district, speak out, and often times be the only one to take tough votes against the tide. I have, and will continue to, fight for working families, the middle class, low income and poor people,” said Lee On her final day in Congress.

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Rep. Barbara Lee. File photo.
Rep. Barbara Lee. File photo.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Outgoing Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) expressed deep gratitude to her constituents and marked the end of her 26-year career in public service.

Lee, who is succeeded by Lateefah Simon, a civil rights and racial justice activist, praised people in her community for their support. She also highlighted her dedication to promoting peace, justice, and equity.

“Together, we have raised our voices and pushed the envelope for peace, justice and equity. It has been the honor of a lifetime to provide constituent services, deliver federal investments to my district, speak out, and often times be the only one to take tough votes against the tide. I have, and will continue to, fight for working families, the middle class, low income and poor people,” said Lee On her final day in Congress.

Throughout her tenure, Lee earned a reputation as a principled lawmaker known for taking bold and sometimes unpopular stances. One of her defining moments came in 2001 when she was the sole member of Congress to vote against the Authorization for the Use of Military Force in response to the September 11 attacks. This decision led to death threats but ultimately cemented her legacy of courage.

Lee’s leadership extended beyond her district, where she fought for social justice, the rights of low-income communities, and global health initiatives. She was a key figure in pushing for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). She was a vocal critic of the Hyde Amendment, which restricts federal funding for abortion services.

The Congresswoman also faced significant challenges in her career, including a failed Senate bid in 2024. Yet, Lee’s efforts have paved the way for more excellent representation, with more Black women now elected to Congress. She worked closely with organizations like Representation Matters to encourage more women of color to run for office.

Lee says she looks to the future, confident that the next generation of leaders will continue her unfinished work, particularly on issues like military force and reproductive rights.

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Activism

OPINION: Gavin’s Ghosts — Governor Attacks Oakland’s Voter-Approved Police Commission

The Coalition for Police Accountability (CPA) hears from Oakland residents that the Oakland Police Officers Association (OPOA) members misrepresent the policy. In October, police arrived during a business invasion and armed robbery but did not pursue fleeing assailants. This was ascribed to the pursuit policy — although chasing robbers with guns where people were beaten is clearly permissible within the policy.

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Gov. Gavin Newsom. Cal Matters photo.

By Oakland Coalition for Police Accountability

Why is Governor Newsom attacking the Oakland Police Commission over a pursuit policy that was written by the Oakland Police Department and later amended by ex-Chief LeRonne Armstrong?

The Governor is demanding more police chases in a broader set of circumstances that he appears not to know. Oakland’s pursuit policy says police cannot engage in high-speed chases unless there is a public safety benefit to catching the driver that outweighs the strong possibility of injury resulting from the chase.

The original policy was written and amended by OPD with no input or approval from the Oakland Police Commission.

The original policy was based on national best practices, written and implemented by former Police Chief Sean Whent. In 2022, after two high-speed police chases resulted in the deaths of two bystanders, then-Chief LeRonne Armstrong amended it to our current policy.

Most recently, the Oakland City Council requested the Police Commission review the policy even though it is not in their purview. After a town hall, and a review of research and comparable policies, the Commission supported OPD’s current policy.

The Coalition for Police Accountability (CPA) hears from Oakland residents that the Oakland Police Officers Association (OPOA) members misrepresent the policy. In October, police arrived during a business invasion and armed robbery but did not pursue fleeing assailants. This was ascribed to the pursuit policy — although chasing robbers with guns where people were beaten is clearly permissible within the policy.

Newsom’s insertion of himself into local politics amplifies the misinformation from OPOA and other opponents of police accountability. This deceit also distracts the community from focusing on the important issue of police overtime, a major driver of Oakland’s budget crisis.

Why is OPOA misrepresenting the role of the Police Commission to the public and attacking Armstrong’s policy?

Vilifying the commission is the wrong target, dishonest and reflects their real opposition to oversight and constitutional policing.

OPOA has manufactured this crisis by not following the current policy and signaling to criminals that they will not do their job. OPD does not have a “no chase” policy.

If OPOA is now concerned that criminals believe there is a “no chase” policy, then OPOA only has itself to blame. What other city workers are permitted to publicly misrepresent the city policy that they work under?

CPA stands with the 83% of the Oakland voters who created a civilian police commission. Despite improvements and reductions in the use of excessive force, the Oakland Police Department continues to have scandals and coverups, which is why they remain under federal oversight.

There may be changes to the pursuit policy that are worth considering, but it is harder to have that conversation when the impact and actual policy are being misrepresented.

The Coalition for Police Accountability condemns these disingenuous attacks against the Commission. If the Governor gets his demand for more high-speed chases it will result in more injuries and deaths on our streets.

Should we call these deaths Gavin’s Ghosts?

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Activism

Gov. Newsom Demands Oakland Police Commission Adopt Police Pursuit Policy Allowing More High-Speed Chases

CHP’s involvement in Oakland policing over the past year has resulted in more than 1,400 arrests, representing 30% of the 4700 of the arrests made by the entire Oakland Police Department in 2023. Aligning himself with the Oakland Police Officers Association (OPOA), Newsom called the Oakland Police Commission irresponsible in their duty to the safety of Oakland residents because they declined to change the pursuit policy when tasked to do so by the Oakland City Council:

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Gov. Gavin Newsom with California Highway Patrol officers.
Gov. Gavin Newsom with California Highway Patrol officers.

By Post Staff

At a press conference on Dec. 27, Governor Gavin Newsom gave an ultimatum to the City of Oakland. He demanded the city change its current police pursuit policy or risk losing current support from the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

“We need to see some commensurate support and reforms and changes as it relates to policing here in Oakland in order to consider extending this state subsidized partnership,” he said. “We specifically are going to need to see changes in the pursuit policy in Oakland.”

CHP’s involvement in Oakland policing over the past year has resulted in more than 1,400 arrests, representing 30% of the 4700 of the arrests made by the entire Oakland Police Department in 2023.

Aligning himself with the Oakland Police Officers Association (OPOA), Newsom called the Oakland Police Commission irresponsible in their duty to the safety of Oakland residents because they declined to change the pursuit policy when tasked to do so by the Oakland City Council:

“In July, I wrote a letter to the police commission. I wrote a letter to the city council. I wrote a letter to local leaders and the mayor at the time requesting some common sense, not going back to an extreme,” he said.

“We’re not looking for an old binary here. We’re trying to take best practices across the state and, for that matter, across the nation. It’s been a decade since that policy was reverted, and [we asked them] to update it. In September the police commission had that opportunity to do so, and they decided not to do it,” he said.

CHP Deputy Commissioner Ezery Beauchamp said, “Criminals are fully aware that when the lights come on in certain communities and municipalities, the police are not allowed to chase them. We have had CHP officers who pursue individuals and, upon arresting them, have had the criminals tell us they didn’t think we were allowed to chase them. This type of situation only benefits the criminals; it does not benefit the people that are being victimized here in California by crime.”

Over the past year, CHP conducted 500 chases. In contrast, the Oakland Police Department, with a much larger patrol force than CHP, conducted about 65.

In the public meeting of the police commission on Sept. 19, 2024, 100 residents of Oakland implored the commission to revise restrictions and restore police chase capabilities. They highlighted to the commission that “Oakland’s businesses are being targeted almost on a daily basis and we need to help our small business owners….it is a plea to help our city thrive.”

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