Oakland is stopping homelessness before it happens

In Oakland’s Jingletown, Crystal was living in an uninhabitable house with a negligent landlord who refused to address her needs. Meanwhile in Fruitvale, Angelo was pushed into homelessness after his landlord repeatedly raised his rent—sleeping in his car or on family members’ couches.

Things changed after they got help from Keep People Housed-Oakland, a homelessness prevention program that provides financial support and services to people on the brink of homelessness.

For Angelo, this meant receiving the resources needed to find a stable home for him and his family. For Crystal, who had spent her early years in the foster system, often staying in group homes and shelters, it meant covering move-in costs for a clean, safe place where she could rest and recover her health.

Making an Impact

Keep People Housed Oakland has provided services to more than 7,700 households since 2018. A year after participating in the program, 93% remain stably housed.

“It feels like a shift in generational patterns.”

When we invest in homelessness prevention, stories like Angelo and Crystal’s don’t end with living on the streets. Instead, they become stories of resilience—proof that we can stop homelessness before it starts.

Angelo and Crystal’s stories were told in collaboration with the City of Oakland’s Department of Housing and Community Development as part of the Stories of Home Initiative. The Department of Housing and Community Development is dedicated to improving Oakland’s neighborhoods and to making sure all Oaklanders have safe and affordable housing. Learn more about Keep People Housed Oakland.