State of California Department of Community Services and Development CSBG Community Action Plan CSD 410--Vision (01/11) ALAMEDA COUNTY REQUIREMENT 1 COMMUNITY INFORMATION PROFILE & NEEDS ASSESSMENT

1. Community Information Profile Introduction The City of Oakland’s Community Action Partnership (OCAP) has been actively fighting the war on poverty in Oakland since 1971. Created by the Economic Opportunity Act in 1964 under Lyndon B. Johnson, Community Action Agencies have evolved into one of the leading anti- poverty fighting organizations in the nation. Since its inception, Community Action Agencies have been helping people change their lives for forty-seven years.

The City of Oakland’s Community Action Partnership continues to support programs and services geared toward improving the overall quality of life for Alameda County’s underserved low- income residents by increasing self-sufficiency and providing access to free civil legal services; preserving and stabilizing affordable housing and preventing homelessness; securing access to essential health care; providing personal and economic assets development, direct financial assistance for households facing a crisis, case management services, benefits enrollment, free on- site financial education and tax preparation services, credit repair, foreclosure workshops; and industry specific training and employment placement.

For 2011-2012, the Alameda County - Oakland Community Action Partnership plans to embrace and support the California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) statewide priority of Family Self-Sufficiency. OCAP has adopted a working definition of Family Self- Sufficiency as having the means to meet a range of individual needs and is committed to supporting programs and services that focus on guiding families toward meeting those needs. The service delivery area for Alameda County’s Community Services Block Grant Funding encompasses the most impoverished neighborhoods located within the unincorporated cities of Ashland and Cherryland (Eden Area); the City of Hayward; Union City, Fremont and Newark (Tri- City); and Dublin, Livermore, and Pleasanton (Tri-Valley).

Alameda’s Community Demographics

Population: The California State Associations of Counties notes that Alameda County is the 7th largest county in California. According to the recent 2010 US Census, Alameda’s total population is 1,006,967, excluding the cities of Oakland (390,724) and Berkeley (112,580). Of the 1,006,967 people in Alameda County, 510,944 (51%) are female, 496,023 (49%). In regards to age, 267,947 (27%) of Alameda’s population are under 19 years of age; 628,009 (62%) individuals are between the ages of 20 to 64; and 111,011 (11%) are 65 years and older. Excluding Oakland and Berkeley, Alameda County encompasses the following incorporated cities: Alameda, Albany, Dublin, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Newark, Piedmont, Pleasanton, San Leandro, and Union City. Unincorporated cities within Alameda County jurisdiction include Ashland, Castro Valley, Cherryland, Fairview, San Lorenzo and Sunol.

Race/Ethnicity: According to the 2010 Census report, excluding the cities of Oakland and Berkeley, 44.4% (447,201) of Alameda County’s population are White; 6.9% (69,739) are

Alameda County – OCAP Plan 2011 Page 1 of 15 State of California Department of Community Services and Development CSBG Community Action Plan CSD 410--Vision (01/11) African American; 30.5% (307,059) are Asian; 10.3% (104,168) are some other race; .6% (6,280) are American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN); 1% (10,394) are Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (NHPI); and 6.1% (62,126) are two or more races. Twenty-three percent (228,612) of Alameda County’s residents indicated they are Hispanic/Latino with the largest Hispanic/Latino populations residing in Ashland (42.8%), Hayward (40.7%) and San Lorenzo (37.7%).

2010 Percentage of Population by Ethnicity at City Level, excluding Berkeley and Oakland Black Other 2 Area Total White AIAN Asian NHPI Hispanic /AA Race Races Alameda 73,812 50.8 6.4 0.6 31.2 0.5 3.3 7.7 11 Albany 18,539 54.6 3.5 0.5 31.2 0.2 3.3 7.2 10.2 Ashland 21,925 30.6 19.5 1.1 18.4 1.2 23.4 6.3 42.8 Castro Valley 61,388 58 6.9 0.5 21.4 0.7 6.1 6.8 17.4 Cherryland 14,728 41 11.5 1.4 9.5 2.1 27.3 7.8 54 Dublin 46,036 51.3 9.4 0.5 26.8 0.6 5.3 6.3 14.5 Emeryville 10,080 44.5 17.5 0.4 27.5 0.2 3.5 6.8 9.2 Fairview 10,003 45 21 0.8 15.2 1.3 9.1 8.2 21.7 Fremont 214,089 32.8 3.3 0.5 50.6 0.5 6.4 6.2 14.8 Hayward 144,186 34.2 11.9 1.0 22 3.1 20.8 7.6 40.7 Livermore 80,968 74.6 2.1 0.6 8.4 0.3 8.6 5.7 20.9 Newark 42,573 41.3 4.7 0.7 27.2 1.5 18.2 7 35.2 Piedmont 10,667 74.2 1.3 0.1 18.2 0.1 0.9 5.5 3.9 Pleasanton 70,285 67 1.7 0.3 23.2 0.2 2.8 5.0 10.3 San Leandro 84,950 37.6 12.3 0.8 29.7 0.8 13.3 5.9 27.4 San Lorenzo 23,452 47.4 4.8 1.0 21.6 0.8 17.9 7.0 37.7 Sunol 913 85.4 0.1 0.7 5.3 0.8 2.1 6.0 10.0 Union City 69,516 23.9 6.3 0.5 50.9 1.3 10.4 7.1 22.9 Source: Urban Strategies Council, March 8, 2011

According to the Urban Strategies Council, when comparing the 2000 Census and 2010 Census, some county cities saw significant changes in their city’s ethnicity composition. Castro Valley (-12.8%), Cherryland (-11.9), Dublin (-18.0), Fairview (-10.3), Fremont (-14.8), Newark (-11.0), Pleasanton (-13.5), San Leandro (-13.7), and San Lorenzo (-15.9%) saw more than a 10% decrease in their city’s White population. The City of Dublin (16.4%), Fremont (13.6%) and Pleasanton (11.5%) had more than a 10% increase in their Asian population. The Hispanic/Latino population increased more than 10% in Ashland (10.4%), Cherryland (12.3%), and San Lorenzo (13.1%).

Households and Families: As reported in the 2010 Census, there are 345,318 households in Alameda County, excluding the cities of Oakland and Berkeley. Families make up 72% (249,913) of the households in the county while nonfamily households comprise 28% (95,405). Notably, 39% (135,397) of Alameda County’s households reported having individuals under the age of 18 years, while 23% (80,045) reported having someone over the age of 65 years old.

In addition, Alameda County has 545,138 occupied housing units. Of those, 42.6% (232,188) are

Alameda County – OCAP Plan 2011 Page 2 of 15 State of California Department of Community Services and Development CSBG Community Action Plan CSD 410--Vision (01/11) owned with a mortgage or loan; 10.8% (59,054) are owned free and clear; and 46.6% (253,896) are renter occupied. Of the 291,242 owner-occupied housing units in Alameda County, 19.8% (57,653) are comprised of 1-person households; 31.5% (91,855) are 2-person households; 18.4% (53,469) are 3-person households; 17.2% (50,147) are 4-person households; 7.2% (20,833) are 5- person households; 3.2% (9,196) are 6-person households; and 2.8% (8,089) are occupied by 7 or more individuals. Of the 253,896 renters living in Alameda County, 33.2% (84,273) are comprised of 1-person households; 27.2% (69,086) are 2-person households; 15.7% (39,770) are 3-person households; 11.9% (30,232) are 4-person households; 6.3% (16,033) are 5-person households; 2.9% (7,487) are 6-person households; and 2.8% (7,015) are occupied by 7 or more individuals.

Nativity and Language: While the 2010 Census data on nativity and language is not currently available, the 2005-2009 American Community Survey (ACS) reports that 32% (306,552) of the people living in the county, excluding Berkeley and Oakland, are foreign-born while 68% (650,873) are native born, with 51% (483,573) of those being born in California. The report notes that of those foreign born, excluding populations born at sea, 63% (193,481) were from Asia; 26% (78,848) were from Latin America; 6% (19,620) were from Europe; 2% (5,495) were from Africa; 2% (5,431) were from Oceania; and 1% (3,669) were from Northern America. Among the population at least five years old, 43% (385,591) spoke a language other than English at home. Among those speaking a language other than English, 15% (132,518) spoke Spanish, 19% (170,658) spoke an Asian and/or Pacific Islander language, 8% (74,587) spoke an Indo-European language, and 1% (7,828) spoke some other language; while 19% (165,245) reported that they did not speak English “very well.”

Alameda County’s Low-Income Community Profile

Poverty: Since 2010 Census data on poverty is not available, the 2005-2009 American Community Survey (ACS) estimates that 10.9% (155,771) of Alameda County residents are living at less than 100% of the poverty level during the past 12 months. The 2005 – 2009 ACS further estimates 13% (42,231) of the County’s households, excluding Oakland and Berkeley, have incomes less than $24,999 while 9% (20,372) of the county’s households have incomes less than $24,000. The 2005-2009 ACS reports in the Tri-City area, Fremont residents living below the poverty level is 5.3% (10,575), Newark is 8.1% (3,377), and Union City is 7.6% (5,290). The report notes in the Tri-Valley area, Dublin residents living below the poverty level is 3.9% (1,456), Livermore is 5.6% (4,370), and Pleasanton is 3.4% (2,226). Alameda City is 9.5% (6,538); Albany is 8.3% (1,313); Emeryville is 16.6% (1,516); Hayward is 11.4% (15,864); Oakland is 17.5% (68,936); Piedmont is 2% (210); and San Leandro is 7.4% (5,732). The unicorporated neighborhoods of Ashland is 16.5% (3,372); Castro Valley is 6%(3,311); Cherryland is 20.8% (2,462); Fairview is 4.5% (406); San Lorenzo is 8.2% (1,833); and Sunol is 2.7% (23).

Alameda County – OCAP Plan 2011 Page 3 of 15 State of California Department of Community Services and Development CSBG Community Action Plan CSD 410--Vision (01/11)

Percentage Rates, Below Poverty Level, Alameda County Alameda 9.5 Albany 8.3 Ashland 16.5 Berkeley 18.5 Castro 6 Cherryland 20.8 Dublin 3.9 Emeryville 16.6 Fairview 4.5 Fremont 5.3 Hayward 11.4 Livermore 5.6 Newark 8.1 Oakland 17.5 Piedmont 2 Pleasanton 3.4 Leandro 7.4 Lorenzo 8.2 Sunol 2.7 Union City 7.6 0 5 10 15 20 25 Source: 2005 – 2009, American Community Survey

According to Insight Center for Community Economic Development (ICCED), a family of three, one adult with one preschooler and one school-age child, would have to have a household income of $52,442, a 40 hour a week job at about $25.00 an hour, to meet the Alameda County Self- Sufficiency Standard. However, according to the new federal poverty guidlelines, in order for a family of three to qualify for public support programs, they would have to have a household income of less than $18,530 annually. The ICCED further notes that in order for county residents to obtain an annual income of $49,920, they would need to work more than three full-time minimum wage jobs ($8.00 per a hour).

Seniors: In addition, ICCED, estimates there are 71,000 Alameda County elders, age 65 or older, struggling to meet their basic needs according to the California Elder Economic Security Standard Index (Elder Index). It is estimated that seniors who rent need on average about $25,000 a year to cover their basic expenses, while seniors with a mortgage need an annual income of $35,569. ICCED also discovered that the current federal poverty guidelines place an estimated 62,000 (42.9%) of the county’s seniors into an “eligibility gap,” disqualifying them from accessing public support programs. Gender and race/ethnicity also plays an instrumental part in the poverty rates among Alameda County seniors. ICCED found that 58% of Alameda County female seniors, 65 or older, live alone, and 28% of Alameda County female seniors live in a 2-person/couple household are struggling to meet their basic needs. Furthermore, the organization notes almost 8 out of 10 county Latino elders and 7 out of 10 African American and Asian elders, who live alone fall below the Elder Index.

Alameda County – OCAP Plan 2011 Page 4 of 15 State of California Department of Community Services and Development CSBG Community Action Plan CSD 410--Vision (01/11) Poverty Level Guidelines for 2011: 48 Contiguous States and the District of Colombia Size of 100% Level 200% Level Annual* Annual Family Unit Monthly Income Monthly Income 1 $907.50 $10,890 $1,815.00 $21,780 2 $1,225.83 $14,710 $2,451.67 $29,420 3 $1,544.17 $18,530 $3,088.33 $37,060 4 $1,862.50 $22,350 $3,725.00 $44,700 5 $2,180.83 $26,170 $4,361.67 $52,340 6 $2,499.17 $29,990 $4,998.33 $59,980 7 $2,817.50 $33,810 $5,635.00 $67,620 8 $3,135.83 $37,630 $6,271.67 $75,260 For family units of more than 8 members, add $3,820 for each additional person Source: Federal Register, Vol. 76, No. 13, January 20, 2011, pp. 3637-3638

2. Needs Assessment

Indicators of Poverty within Alameda County's Low-income Communities

Studies show that the issue of poverty is deeply rooted in a number of social issues such as, unemployment and low-wages, inadequate or unaffordable housing, poor health, lack of food security, inadequate access to medical and social services, low educational attainment, and criminal victimization. As part of a comprehensive effort to gauge Alameda County’s well-being, the Oakland Community Action Partnership reviewed the following community indicators.

Income: According to the 2005-2009 ACS, the estimated median household income in Alameda County is $68,863. An estimated 109,243 households receive social security, averaging about $14,606 per year, while 79,453 received retirement income averaging about $24,245 per year. In addition, 23,047 receive supplemental social security income averaging about $9,217 per year; 16,373 receive cash public assistance, averaging about $5,615 per year; and 19,228 households reported receiving Food Stamps/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits within the past 12 months. Of those 19,288 households receiving food stamps, 18.8% (3,614) have one or more individuals 60 years or older, while 73.3% (14,094) have children under 18 years old. These income sources are not mutually exclusive, that is some households received income from more than one source.

While food cost, gasoline, housing, healthcare, utilities and transportation cost continue to soar, many county residents find themselves relying on public support programs as a sole or supplemental income to meet their basic needs. According to the Alameda County Social Services (ACSS) agency, the maximum cash grant for a single person on General Assistance, cash aid to indigent adults and emancipated minors, is $336 a month ($4,032 annually). ACSS describes how an individual may also be eligible for the CalFresh/Food Stamp program that has an allocation up to $200 per a month but notes the average CalFresh monthly benefit disbursement is about $73 per individual and about $173 per household. The Social Security Administration states that an aged or disabled single person living independently may receive a maximum Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment of $830.40 monthly ($9,964.80 annually) or $885.40 ($10,624.80 annually) for someone who is blind. The State of California’s Health and Human Services Agency

Alameda County – OCAP Plan 2011 Page 5 of 15 State of California Department of Community Services and Development CSBG Community Action Plan CSD 410--Vision (01/11) notes in April 2011, the average monthly benefits were: $504.60 ($6,055.20 annually) for an aged individual, $643.81 ($7725.72 annually) for a disabled person and $652.87 ($7,834.44 annually) for someone who is blind.

Unemployment: In July 2011, the California Employment Development Department (EDD) estimates Alameda’s countywide unemployment at 11% (82,600), compared to 12% statewide. Out of the 751,500 individuals currently documented as being in the labor force, 82,600 are unemployed.

Estimated Unemployment Rates in Alameda County, July 2007 ‐ July 2011

Jul-11 11

Jul-10 11.7

Jul-09 11.3

Jul-08 6.5

Jul-07 5.1 02468101214

Source: State of California, Employment Development Department: Not seasonally adjusted

July 2011, Preliminary Estimated Percentage Unemployment Rates 18 16.5 15.8 16

14 12.7 12.2 11.5 10.8 12 10.2 10.3 10 7.9 8 8.2 7.6 7.2 8 6.5 6.7 6.8 5.8 5.6 6 4.7 4 2 0 Alameda Albany Ashland Castro Cherryland Dublin Emeryville Fairview Fremont Hayward Livermore Newark Oakland Piedmont Pleasanton San San Sunol Unio n City City Valley Leandro Lorenzo

Source: State of California, Employment Development Department: Not seasonally adjusted According to the 2005–2009 ACS, the top five industries for employable civilians, 16 years or older, in Alameda County are education, health and social care (21.1%); professional, scientific, management, administrative and waste management (15.8%); manufacturing (11.3%); retail (10.1%); and arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services (7.4%). Many of these industries have been negatively affected by the recession. The Employment Development Department projects that from 2008-2018, the fastest growing industry sectors are Education, Health Care and Social Assistance (22%), Professional Business Services (11.3%), Financial Activities (9.6%), and Leisure and Hospitality (8.9%). A 2008 East Bay Community Foundation (EBCF) report, East Bay Community Assessment, notes that many of the projected new employment openings will be created in the low paying job sector, such as the retail and service industry. Furthermore, another EBCF report, Putting the East Bay to Work: Sustainable Jobs for

Alameda County – OCAP Plan 2011 Page 6 of 15 State of California Department of Community Services and Development CSBG Community Action Plan CSD 410--Vision (01/11) the Underemployed (2009), describes how re-entry individuals, limited English proficient adults and emancipated foster care youth face serious barriers and challenges in obtaining employment.

Education: While the 2010 Census county data on educational attainment is not currently available, the 2005-2009 American Community Survey (ACS) estimates that 7.6%, of those 25 years and older living in Alameda County, had an educational attainment of less than a 9th grade level and 6.7% are estimated to have a 9th to 12th grade level - meaning that 14.3% of the County’s population do not have a high school diploma. The Census also documents that 19.4% of the individuals, 25 years and older, who did not graduate high school live in poverty; 11.5% for individuals who obtained a high school diploma or equivalent; 8% among individuals with some college or associates degree; and 4.4% for residents with a Bachelor’s degree or higher.

The level of education also influenced the median earnings for Alameda County residents. The 2005–2009 ACS notes that Alameda County residents, 25 years or older, who had less than a high school degree had median earnings of $21,092; individuals with a high school degree or equivalent had median earnings of $31,661; individuals with some college had median earnings of $40,884; individuals with a Bachelor degree had median earnings of $57,007; while individuals who had a graduate or professional degree had median earnings of $75,822 in comparison.

Estimated Median Earnings, Alameda County

Less than a high school diploma $21,092

High school degree/equivalent $31,661

Some college $40,884

Bachelor degree $57,007

Graduate /professional degree $75,822

$0 $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $50,000 $60,000 $70,000 $80,000

Source: 2005 – 2009, American Community Survey

While research has shown a correlation between the relationship of poverty and educational attainment, the California Department of Education reports that Alameda County had a 19.1% (3,463) dropout rate for the class of 2009–2010. Out of the 8,771 enrolled female students, 16.5% (1,445) dropped out while the male cohort of 9,327 had a 21.6% (2,018) dropout rate. In regards to race and ethnicity, the report notes that out of the 3,352 enrolled African American students the dropout rate was 35.1% (1,178); for the 110 enrolled American Indian or Alaska Native students, the rate was 24.6% (27); for the 4,728 enrolled Hispanic/Latino students, the rate was 27% (1,278); for the 293 enrolled Pacific Islander students, the rate was 22.9% (67); for the 953 enrolled Filipino students, the rate was 10.1% (96); for the 237 enrolled students who are two or more races the rate was 9.7% (23); for the 4,513 enrolled White students the rate was 8.8% (396); and out of the 3,615 enrolled Asian students the dropout rate was 7.7% (277).

Alameda County – OCAP Plan 2011 Page 7 of 15 State of California Department of Community Services and Development CSBG Community Action Plan CSD 410--Vision (01/11) Health: A 2010 report, Health of Alameda County Cities and Places: A Report for the Hospital Council of Northern and Central California, by the Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD), explores the pressing health concerns facing county residents. The report notes how communities of color, the uninsured and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities continue to rank poorly in regards to overall health. Some general findings uncovered in the report note that African Americans residents are more likely to report fair or poor health status than Whites; socioeconomically disadvantaged adults are over four times likely to self-report fair to poor health compared to individuals from high-income households; and uninsured individuals are twice more likely to report having a fair or poor overall health than insured individuals.

The report also found health habits were also influenced by socieconomic status by noting low- income adults were more likely to smoke than high-income adults; low-income individuals are much less likely to consume fruits and vegetables than high-income county residents and low- income adults are almost twice as likely to have high blood pressure than county residents in high- income neighborhoods. A report by the Prevention Institute, A Time of Opportunity: Local Solutions to Reduce Inequities in Health and Safety (2009) noted similar health disparities by noting heart disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke, injury and violence occur in higher frequency, earlier, and with greater severity among communitites of color and in low-income communities.

The 2010 ACPHD report further documents how health insurance impacts an individuals overall health. The report found, 61.9% of county residents, six in ten, received insurance coverage through employment, 23.5% through public programs, and 5.9% purchased insurance privately. During 2005–2007, it is estimated that 12.6% non-elderly residents were uninsured. According to the 2009 ACS, it is estimated that 12.7% (187,438) county residents were without insurance coverage. The report also sheds light on the disparities among uninsured county residents by noting Latinos were four times less likely and African Americans and Asian/Pacific Islanders were two time less likely to have insurance coverage than the County’s White residents.

According to the Alameda Health Consortium, the California Health Interview Survey estimates that about 10,000 (57%) eligible county children are not participating in public health insurance and notes that a large percentage of these county children were previously enrolled in Medi-Cal or Healthy Families. Overall, the ACPHD report found that county residents had a higher likelihood of being uninsured if they were socioeconomically disadvantaged, non-English proficient, noncitizen and a recent immigrant.

Food Security: Despite the efforts to improve food security in Alameda County, issues of availability and accessibility to healthy food choices, the lack of participation in supplemental nutrition food programs, and issues of hunger and malnutrition continue to plaque many county residents. Moreover, the current economic crisis, the high cost of living, foreclosures, the erosion of the public safety net, and high unemployment rates compounds the issues causing many individuals and families to choose between accessing healthy food and meeting other basic needs.

Given the currently economic landscape, the Alameda County Community Food Bank (ACCFB), is currently serving 1 out of evey 6 Alameda County residents. In its 2010 Hunger: The Faces & The Facts report, ACCFB found that out of 391 clients surveyed, 80% of the households, with at least one child under the age of 18, encounter low or very low food security and 25% of households with minors skipped meals due to lack of food and money in the preceding 12 months. The report also found 67% of households with seniors face low or very low food security.

Alameda County – OCAP Plan 2011 Page 8 of 15 State of California Department of Community Services and Development CSBG Community Action Plan CSD 410--Vision (01/11) Notably, 42% of the client households report having at least one or more employed adults; 13% indicated their main source of income is Supplemental Security Income at a maximum monthly allocation of $845; and the median monthly income of client households is $990, compared to the estimated county-wide monthly median of $5,851. The survey also found that 36% of the respondents had to choose between purchasing food and paying housing costs.

While the ACCFB study notes 67% of the children participated in the federal school lunch program, only 15% participated in the Summer Lunch Program. The survey also notes that only 17% of households surveyed received food stamps while a staggering 74% of households have incomes that would qualify them for food stamps and another 56% of the clients surveyed stated that they had never applied for food stamps. Another report, Lost Dollars, Empty Plates: The Impact of CalFresh Participation on State and Local Economies (2010), by California Food Policy Advocates states the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) ranks California second to last in regards to its state’s CalFresh/SNAP program participation and notes Alameda County has an estimated 148,973 income-eligible individuals yet only close to half of those eligible (75,816) are participating. The report further estimates if Alameda County had 100% CalFresh participation it would receive an additional $106,804,301 yearly in federal benefits.

The Prevention Institute, A Time of Opportunity: Local Solutions to Reduce Inequities in Health and Safety (2009), highlights how access to local farmers’ markets, local restaurants, grocery stores, and street vendors can offset food security issues for neighborhoods by playing a pivotal role in providing access to healthy food choices especially for socioeconomic disadvantaged and communities of color that are particularity faced with a scarcity of healthy food alternatives. A report, Searching for Healthy Food: The Food Landscape in Alameda County (2007), by the California Center of Public Health Advocacy found a smaller ratio of supermarkets and farmers’ markets within Alameda County compared to the convenience stores and fast food restaurants – see chart below. The report describes how healthy foods are less likely to be offered in convenience stores and fast food establishments.

Distribution of Retail Food Outlets in Alameda County

Produce Stores Supermarkets 2% Farmers Markets 13% 2% Convenience Stores 30%

Fast Food Restaurants 53%

Source: California Center for Public Health Advocacy, 2007

Alameda County – OCAP Plan 2011 Page 9 of 15 State of California Department of Community Services and Development CSBG Community Action Plan CSD 410--Vision (01/11) Affordable Housing: Finding affordable housing in Alameda County can be difficult where the cost of housing is among one of the highest in the nation. This can make it especially difficult for low-income Alameda County residents to find a suitable place to live where the don’t have to choose between paying the rent and buying groceries. Housing is officially affordable if it passes the test of a household not paying more than 30% of their total income for housing costs (rent or mortgage payment, insurance, taxes, and utilities). This is important in the Alameda County, where housing expenses combined with transportation costs can account for as much as 70% of a household’s income. According to a poll released in 2010 by the Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California, 70% of Bay Area residents surveyed reported that finding affordable housing is a major problem, and 60% said they were concerned about their own housing situation. The United Way of the Bay Area, 2009 Struggling to Make Ends Meet report, estimates that about one in five East Bay families (and two in five Latino or African-American families) can’t afford housing and other basic needs—even though at least 80% of those families have a wage earner.

The National Low Income Housing Coalition, Out of Reach 2011 report, states that in Alameda County, the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,176 per month and $1,393 per month for a two-bedroom. In essence, a family would need 3.3 full-time minimum wage earners (annual household income of $55,720) to afford a two-bedroom apartment in Alameda County. The report also notes during 2005-2009, Alameda County renters had an estimated hourly wage of $18.36 and needed to work 1.5 full-time jobs in order to afford a 2- bedroom FMR. As for public assisted housing, the Housing Authority of the County of Alameda (HACA) - excluding the cities of Alameda, Berkeley, Livermore and Oakland – in 2009 reported having a 990-person waitlist for public housing that had not been opened since 2002, and has a 1,040-person waitlist for Section 8 rental assistance that has not been opened since December 2001. The Housing Authority of the City of Livermore reports it maintains a public housing waitlist of 1,238 individuals while the City of Alameda Housing Authority maintains a affordable housing waitlist of 276 individuals and notes that is not usual for individuals to waite several years for an affordable housing unit to become available.

To compound the Alameda County’s housing crisis, foreclosures’ resulting from the mortgage crisis has also led to an increase in homelessness and a steep decline in housing prices - effectively wiping out a household’s equity and increasing the number of abandoned homes. A report, Rebuilding Neighborhoods, Restoring Health, by Alameda County Public Health Department in collaboration with Causa Justa notes that during 2006–2009, 42,553 Alameda county property owners received a notice of default on their mortgage loan while over 2,500 county properties were foreclosed upon in 2009. The report further states that the highest rates of foreclosed properties are located within the highest concentration of socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods and have a high concentration of African American and Latino county residents. For August 2011, Reality Trac reports that one in every 250 housing units were foreclosed upon in Alameda County.

Homelessness: In late January of 2011, it was estimated that 4,178 individuals were homeless in Alameda County. The Alameda Countywide 2011: Homeless County and Survey Report, by EveryOne Home estimates a 13.6% decline in the homeless population since January 2007. The report notes that nearly three-forths of the estimated homeless are comprised of individuals without minors. In 2011, the report describes how the county saw a decrease by 28%, from 1,570 to 1,139, in homeless households with at least one minor, while the adult homeless population

Alameda County – OCAP Plan 2011 Page 10 of 15 State of California Department of Community Services and Development CSBG Community Action Plan CSD 410--Vision (01/11) without minors increased 10% from 2,771 to 3,039. The report also noted there was a decrease by 19%, from 1,007 to 818, in homeless individuals living with severe mental illness.

The report also documents the increase of unsheltered homeless to 53%. The chart below represents the living situation for homeless individuals on the night of the count on January 24, 2011.

Emergency Shelter Program 20% Transitional Housing Program 53% 27% Unsheltered Homeless

Source: Alameda Countywide Homeless Count and Survey, 201l

The report revealed that the three top needs checked by respondents were 1) Employment (28%); 2) Housing (26%); and 3) Money, Income, Financial Assistance (20%). The report notes that the findings do not take into account the recent economic downturn or the displacement of those who have been foreclosed upon. The report further suggests that agencies addressing the issue of homelessness will need to focus their attention on providing services such as case management, assistance with obtaining and maintaining public assistance, and supportive services.

Public Safety: In 2009, according to the State of California Department of Justice (DOJ), Alameda County had 11,189 violent offenses, a decrease from the 12,778 violent crimes reported in 2008. Excluding the City of Oakland and Berkeley, the county in 2009 had 28 homicides, 200 forcible rapes, 1,873 robberies, and 1,680 aggravated assaults. In regards to juvenile felony arrests, the DOJ reports in 2009 the entire county had 2,479 juvenile arrests, in which 813 were for violent offenses (homicide, forcible rape, robbery, assault, and kidnapping), a decrease from the 920 violent offenses reported in the previous year. Juvenile males account for 2,136 of the arrests while female juveniles account for 343. The Alameda County Probation Department report, A Look into Probation, states that in May 2011, there were 14,630 adults on felony probation. In 2010, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation notes that were 6,107 (5,860 males; 247 females) felons paroled and re-paroled in Alameda County. The chart below shows the

Alameda County – OCAP Plan 2011 Page 11 of 15 State of California Department of Community Services and Development CSBG Community Action Plan CSD 410--Vision (01/11) distributions of reported violent crimes within Alameda County in 2009, noting that the top five reporting areas include Hayward, Unincorporated Alameda County, Fremont, San Leandro and Union City.

Total Forcible Aggravated Jurisdiction Violent Homicide Robbery Rape Assaults Crimes County totals 11,189 138 553 5,215 5,283 Sheriff’s Dept. Unincorporated 637 3 28 260 346 Sheriff’s Dept. Dublin 73 1 6 21 45 Alameda City 199 4 13 87 95 Albany 45 0 1 36 8 Berkeley 615 6 27 444 138 Emeryville 160 2 3 67 88 Fremont 490 2 34 217 237 Hayward 741 7 29 446 259 Livermore 161 3 26 55 77 Newark 202 1 15 73 113 Oakland 6,793 104 326 2,898 3,465 Piedmont 9 0 1 7 1 Pleasanton 73 0 4 20 49 San Leandro 409 2 22 261 124 Union City 384 2 15 174 193 UC Berkeley 39 0 1 17 21 CSU East Bay 2 0 0 2 0 E. Bay Municipal Utility Dist. 1 0 1 0 0 E. Bay Regional Park Dist. 2 0 1 0 1 BART 149 1 0 130 18 Union Pacific Railroad 5 0 0 0 5 Source: State of California Department of Justice: Table 11 Crimes, 2009 Alameda County

Alameda County’s Community Resources and Services

Research has noted that socioeconomic disadvantaged neighborhoods face myriad of issues that are associated with higher rates of chronic health conditions, lack of educational attainment, high unemployment, public safety issues, foreclosures, inadequate or unaffordable housing, low household assets, a lack of healthcare coverage, and limited training and employment opportunities.

In order to help address the needs of Alameda County’s underserved low-income community, OCAP works diligently to establish and build alliances and form strong partnerships with other organizations aimed at alleviating poverty within the county’s low-income communities. Community partners include: United Way of the Bay Area, East Bay Housing Organization, Alameda County Department of Social Services and Public Health Department, Fremont Family Resource Center, Oakland/Alameda County Housing Authority, Tri-Valley Housing Opportunity Center, Eden Information and Referral Services, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Spectrum Community Services: Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Alameda County Community Food Bank, Alameda County Board of Supervisors, representatives from the community, and a host of local community and faith-based organizations.

Alameda County – OCAP Plan 2011 Page 12 of 15 State of California Department of Community Services and Development CSBG Community Action Plan CSD 410--Vision (01/11) The following chart summarizes Alameda County’s Community Services Block Grant 2011 program strategies and focus areas:

ACAP Program Strategies Job Training / Community / Supportive Community Capacity Education & Economic Services Engagement / Building Employment Development Advocacy Purpose: Purpose: Purpose: Purpose: Purpose: Support programs Support programs Support wrap around Support programs Support and services that and services that programs and and services that programs and address training/ provide transitional, services that assist increase public services that education, and stable and low-income awareness, foster agency employment for affordable housing, individuals and advocacy and capacity- adults, youth, home ownership, families with support promote civic building in the seniors, re-entry assets building, in the areas of action on poverty areas of fund population, and micro enterprise employment, and other issues development, the homeless opportunities, food housing, that affect board security, and transportation, Alameda development sustainable gardens income support, County’s low- and community health and wellness, income building financial security, population and asset building

For 2011, ACAP’s programs and services will provide Alameda County community residents with access to vital services to remove barriers by working closely with program participants to navigate various systems in order to obtain the necessary documentation and properly submit applications for services. Supported programs provide information about program requirements and clients’ responsibilities to ensure the County’s low-income residents are accessing eligible services, such as free civil legal services; preserving and stabilizing affordable housing and preventing homelessness; securing access to essential health care; personal and economic assets; direct financial assistance for households facing a crisis; case management services; benefits enrollment; financial literacy; free on-site financial education and tax preparation services; credit repair; foreclosure workshops and counseling on homeowners’ legal rights; and quality training and job placement.

Alameda County – OCAP Plan 2011 Page 13 of 15 State of California Department of Community Services and Development CSBG Community Action Plan CSD 410--Vision (01/11) For Calendar Years 2011, ACAP will provide the following programs and services: ACAP 2011 Program and Services Employment Kitchen of Champions Culinary Training Program The Kitchen of Champions Culinary Training Program integrates hands-on food services training with classroom instruction, case management, workplace preparation, job placement/employment assistance and post-training follow-up. Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda (510) 877-9256

www.SVdP-Alameda.org Housing Alameda County Housing Plus The Alameda County Housing Plus program provides low-income residents of Alameda County with rental and utility assistance. Catholic Charities of the East Bay (510) 451-6998

www.CCEB.org Low-Income Homeowners Home Preservation HERA works to protect vulnerable Alameda County Homeowners from foreclosure by offering individual foreclosure prevention, quarterly foreclosure workshops in low-income neighborhoods, telephone counseling and referral services. Housing and Economic Rights Advocates (HERA) (510) 271-8443

www.HeraCa.org Legal Assistance Alameda County Legal Safety Net Project The Alameda County Legal Safety Net Project aims to increase self-sufficiency by providing access to free legal services in the areas of: housing, economic benefits, domestic violence, sexual assault, and healthcare for Alameda County’s low-income residents. Bay Area Legal Aid (510) 663-4744

www.BayLegal.org Asset Building and Financial Education EITC Campaign Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and free tax preparation for Alameda County’s low-income residents with the purpose to increase the amount of Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) returned to county residents. United Way of the Bay Area (510) 238-2418

www.EarnItKeepItSaveIt.org Fremont Family Resource Center Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and free tax preparation for Alameda County’s low-income residents with the purpose to increase the amount of Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) returned to Alameda County’s residents. Additional services include financial education and counseling, peer lending services and a Spark Point Center. (510) 574-2000 www.Fremont.gov Tri-Valley Housing Opportunity Center Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and free tax preparation for Alameda County’s low-income residents with the purpose to increase the amount of Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) returned to county residents. (925)373-3130 www.tvhoc.org

Alameda County – OCAP Plan 2011 Page 14 of 15 State of California Department of Community Services and Development CSBG Community Action Plan CSD 410--Vision (01/11) Summary

Based on the current economic crisis, the continued high cost of living, increased home foreclosures, the continuing threat of violence, and the decline of the public safety net, it is imperative that the Alameda County - Oakland’s Community Action Partnership (OCAP) continue to assess how the delivery of programs and services can be leveraged with other programs in meeting the needs of Alameda County’s underserved low-income community. Research has demonstrated that building social capital/equity is a critical ingredient in getting better results in neighborhoods, which can be measured by the increase in economic status, improved health and well-being, safe neighborhoods, and schools that are more effective.

Therefore, as long as poverty continues to exist, Alameda County - OCAP will continue its efforts to address and meet the needs of the low-income community by ensuring access to job training/education and employment, financial education, foreclosure prevention, quality community and economic development, affordable housing, and supportive services to improve the lives of residents who are faced with living in poverty. For over forty years, the City of Oakland’s Community Action Partnership has and continues to make a difference in the lives of thousands of individuals by helping people and changing lives.

FULFILLING THE PROMISE OF COMMUNITY ACTION IN ALAMEDA COUNTY

Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other

Note: The data contained in this document was reviewed and compiled from a variety of resources available online and reports generated by various agencies. This document is intended to provide an overview of the Alameda County - Oakland Community Action Partnership’s community needs assessment and strategic planning process

For more information, please visit us on the web at www.OaklandCAP.org

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