Berkeley's Homeless Response Team trying to keep the lights on' while improving

"More than $25 million was allocated to homelessness programs in Berkeley for the last fiscal year, but the city now faces an annual $20 million structural deficit, the state is grappling with a strained budget of its own and federal social services are being cut. "We're building momentum, but without reliable long-term funding we won't be able to keep up," Berkeley's Homeless Services Coordinator Josh Jacobs said."

"Berkeley residents have already agreed to tax themselves to support homelessness programming and the creation and preservation of affordable housing through the passage of Measure O, a $350 million bond item; Measure P and Measure W, which raise money through a property transfer tax; and U1, a business license tax on owners of residential properties."

Berkeley allocated more than $25 million to homelessness programs last fiscal year but now faces a roughly $20 million annual structural deficit. City homelessness staff state that at least $9 million is required to sustain existing programs through new revenue or reductions in current efforts. Voter-approved local measures (Measure O bond, Measure P and Measure W property transfer taxes, and U1 business license tax) and Alameda County Measure W sales tax will provide funding, but the county allocation to Berkeley remains unclear. Funding shortfalls would immediately affect hundreds of unhoused residents and jeopardize motel shelters and permanent housing operations.

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