San Leandro Homelessness Response

This guide provides information the public can use to access the available resources and programs.

1.    What is the City of San Leandro doing to address homelessness?

The City of San Leandro is actively fostering partnerships, developing services, and supporting efforts that address homelessness.

Homelessness is one of the most complex and pressing challenges faced by cities across the Bay Area and the State of California, and San Leandro is not exempt from this vexing challenge. According to data generated from the 2022 Alameda County Point-In-Time (PIT) Count – Unsheltered/Sheltered Report, the City of San Leandro has experienced a significant increase in unsheltered/sheltered individuals since 2017.  Furthermore, the need for transitional and permanent housing, and basic needs support continues to grow.

Interventions are needed at multiple levels, in concert with one another, and in partnership with our public and non-profit partners to make a difference. Examples of current efforts include:

Domestic Violence Outreach and Mobile Unit.  A 24-hour/day, 365 days/year program administered by Family Violence Law Center staff in collaboration with the City’s contracted service providers, Building Futures and Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments (SAVE), which provides intensive case management, including housing and shelter resources, to domestic violence survivors.

Homeless Mobile Outreach.  As the City’s contracted partner, Building Futures conducts outreach in encampments, parking lots, bridges underpasses, parks, shopping centers, sidewalks, and other locations in the community. 

Emergency Housing.  Some of San Leandro’s most vulnerable unhoused residents are provided emergency housing at the Marina Inn.  During this time, Building Futures conducts assessments with individuals to identify needs and determine eligibility for supportive services (including housing). Individuals are also supported with basic needs (e.g., food, and clothing).

Winter Warming Center.  In collaboration with non-profit and faith-based organizations, this service provides unhoused individuals experiencing homelessness with indoor shelter on scheduled days during the winter months.  In addition, the Winter Warming Center provides two meals per day, and access to support including referrals to resources.

San Leandro Shelter.  Provide funding for capital and operational support to Building Futures for the San Leandro Homeless Shelter, a thirty-bed homeless shelter operated by Building Futures that serves women and children.  

Basic Needs Support.  The City contracts with a non-profit to provide basic need services to the San Leandro community, by providing emergency services to assist those who are at risk of or who are already experiencing homelessness to support their reintegration into the community.  Basic support services include but are not limited to transportation assistance such as emergency bus tickets, Clipper cards, emergency ride assistance (Uber or Lyft), emergency gas cards, payment assistance for past due rent, motel vouchers, unforeseen circumstance situation assistance such as car impoundment (if being used as a primary residence), storage lock out, or major vehicle repair, emergency clothing and food.

Food Distribution and Coordination.  Via a collaboration with the Mercy Brown Bag Program, City staff, and volunteers distribute groceries to seniors ages 60+ throughout Alameda County twice a month, free of charge.  Staff also coordinates with other non-profit and faith-based organizations with food pantries to promote access to those resources.

Hot showers.  Via a collaboration with April Showers and Creekside Community Church, unhoused residents have access to hot showers at two sites in San Leandro during standing dates and times. 

Downtown San Leandro Safety Ambassador Pilot Program.  Operated by the San Leandro Downtown Community Benefit District and administered by the San Leandro Improvement Association (aka SLIA). Ambassadors respond to calls from merchants, conduct daily wellness checks, and coordinate with volunteers to distribute lunches to unsheltered people downtown.  Ambassadors triage transient's needs and, when appropriate, refer them to resources.

Training.  Staff, partners, and community members are provided training in mental health awareness, safety, conflict de-escalation, local resources, gender-based violence, and trauma-informed care.

Bi-weekly Homeless Case Management Meetings.  Coordinate street outreach and individual case management services through bi-weekly meetings with City staff and non-profit service providers.  

Broader Homeless Initiatives.  The city participates in numerous other initiatives, such as active participation in the Alameda County Mayors Conference and Homelessness Working Group, along with many others.   

Despite these efforts, there are substantial unmet needs. Many unhoused individuals face the harsh reality of being placed on waiting lists due to the scarcity of shelter and transitional housing options, forcing them to spend more nights on the streets.

Despite these challenges, the City of San Leandro is committed to working alongside our public, non-profit, and faith-based partners to support the needs of our unhoused community now and in the years to come.

2.    Someone is camped on City property.  Who can I contact?

If the property is owned by the City of San Leandro and/or located within City right-of-way, the Public Works Department will initiate clean-up of the site after the City’s Human Services Department coordinates outreach services with local community-based organizations that offer support services to unhoused individuals and after given approval from relevant City leadership. 

Residents can use the City of San Leandro's “MySL” mobile 311 application to quickly report non-emergency issues. Although reports via MySL can be made anonymously, the city encourages residents to sign up for an account through the MySL application to track inquiries and follow up on the status of the reported concern. To receive technical support with the MySL 311 application (web or mobile app), contact the City's Information Technology Department at 510-577-3349 or by email at [email protected].  Please click on the following link to sign-up:  https://www.sanleandro.org/750/Report-a-Concern. 

3. Someone is camped on public property or along railroad tracks that do not belong to the City of San Leandro. Who can I contact?  

Please submit your concern via the https://www.sanleandro.org/750/Report-a-Concern  or MySL so City staff can research it.  The City may also communicate concerns to such public agencies.  These public agencies may be able to provide removal services after coordinating with their own homeless outreach teams.

4.    Can the City arrest people who are camping on my private property?

Per 602 of the California Penal Code and at the request of the on-scene property owner/representative being present, the Police Department may be able to arrest someone who is refusing to leave your property. If there is an active restraining order on file with the court, the Police Department can make an arrest without a property owner/representative being present. For non-emergency calls, the San Leandro Police Department can be reached at (510) 577-2740. 

5.    Someone is camped on private property.  Who can I contact?

If the location is private property, the issue can be referred to the San Leandro Police Department (if trespassing or another crime, such as theft, break-ins or damage to property is involved).  The Police Department can be contacted by dialing 911 if it is an emergency, or the non-emergency number (510) 577-2740.  Municipal Code violations, such as trash, litter, debris, outdoor storage, etc., can be reported to the Community Development Code Enforcement Division submitted via the MySL system or by calling (510) 577-3344.  Depending on the circumstances, Code Enforcement and/or the Police Department may communicate with the Human Services Department to coordinate outreach services with local community-based organizations that offer support services to unhoused individuals at the site prior to remediation.

6.    How can I make my property or business more secure from crime?

Please contact the San Leandro Police Department Crime Prevention Unit for support.  Additional information can be found through the following link: Crime Prevention Unit.  You can also call the Police Department’s Crime Prevention Specialist at (510) 577-3252.

7.    What if someone is having a mental health crisis?

If someone is having an active mental health crisis, you can contact the San Leandro Police Department by contacting 9-1-1.

Depending on the circumstances, the Police Department may request support from the Community Assessment & Transport TEAM (CATT).  CATT is a program that was developed in collaboration with Alameda County Behavioral Health Services, Alameda County Emergency Medical Services, Falck Ambulance Company, and Bonita House, to provide assessment, crisis management, transportation and referral as appropriate to individuals presenting behavioral emergencies in the community.  CATT is comprised of an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and a Behavioral Health Clinician who respond to calls of suicide and self-harm in public settings including assisting individuals who present as disoriented, delusional and/or are exhibiting symptoms of intoxication.  In addition to behavioral health assessment and de-escalation, the CATT EMT is qualified to provide basic medical treatment (such as wound care, prevention of infection) to reduce the need for hospitalization and decrease the chances of furthering mental health decompensation.  CATT Teams are 100% field-based and respond to 9-1-1 calls that are triaged by the San Leandro Police Department.

8.    How can I refer someone to support services?

You can refer someone by calling 2-1-1, the Alameda Countywide information and referral system.  2-1-1 connects callers with health, housing, and human services in their community.  2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and in over 300 languages.  All calls are confidential.

You can also direct individuals to Building Futures via their 24-hour, toll-free crisis line at 1-866-292-9688.

For crisis intervention and support, you may also contact the Family Violence Law Center (FVLC).  Staff is available 24/7 to provide:

• Crisis intervention 
• Safety planning
• Meaningful referrals to counseling and other support services

 FVLC’s Mobile Response Team provides on-site response at medical sites and police scenes and emergency relocation assistance for survivors in immediate danger.  All services are available in any language through an interpreter, and all conversations are confidential.  To speak to someone, call 1(800) 947-8301 or visit their Family Violence Law Center website.

9.    Why are people experiencing homelessness allowed to loiter in public areas?

Individuals experiencing homelessness have the same rights as all other members of the public when in public areas.  Merely resting, sleeping, or standing is not illegal.

The activity becomes unlawful if illegal behavior or actions are taken.  Examples of such behavior include possession of an open container of alcohol, public urination or defecation, lying or sitting so as to obstruct a public right-of-way, camping on public or private lands not designated for such purposes, or other activity that is prohibited or illegal according to relevant state or municipal laws.  

If you observe these or other potential illegal behaviors, please contact the San Leandro Police Department’s non-emergency line at 510-577-2740.  

10.    What if I witness a crime?

If you witness a crime being committed, regardless of someone’s housing status, you should report it to the San Leandro Police Department dispatch by calling 9-1-1.

11.    What if I want to report on these issues, but want to remain anonymous?

You can remain anonymous and make a report via MySL or by calling the Police Department’s non-emergency line at (510) 577-2740.  Please note that if you report anonymously on MySL, you will not be able to track updates online regarding your reporting.

12.    Who is responsible for trash left on private property from encampments?

Property owners are responsible for maintaining their property in compliance with applicable rules and regulations. Vacant lots or structures should be secured and actively managed to deter trespassing.  If there is trash or debris left on private property as a result of an encampment, it is the property owner’s responsibility to clean up the site.  Property owners can also contact their waste hauler for information on bulky pickup services.  Non-compliant properties can be reported to Code Enforcement via https://www.sanleandro.org/750/Report-a-Concern or by calling (510) 577-3344. For waste hauling in the Oro Loma Sanitary District you may contact 510-276-4700 and https://oroloma.org/, for waste management you may contact the Waste Management of Alameda County at 510-613-8710, and for Alameda County Industries you may contact 510-276-4700 or https://alamedacountyindustries.com/sanleandro/.   

13.     Who is responsible for the trash left around my private property from the encampments?

If there is trash or debris left on public right-of-way (typically the street and sidewalk) near your property, please report to the Public Works Department via the MySL system or by calling the Public Works Department at 510-577-3440.

14.    What other resources can I reach out to if I am a business in the downtown area and have questions or needs regarding trash or security concerns?

If you are a downtown business and would like to connect with the San Leandro Improvement Association’s (SLIA) Ambassador Services, please call their helpline at (415) 404-8463, which is also available during the afternoons and evenings.  Cleaning ambassador services are available from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and the safety ambassadors are available from 12:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  Safety Ambassadors provide support with de-escalation of non-emergency situations, report suspicious behaviors or vehicles, report public nuisance (e.g., public drinking), wellness checks on unsheltered individuals.  Cleaning and safety ambassadors are available seven days a week.  

  15.    As a resident or business owner, how can I help the City address homelessness?

Many local non-profit service providers have opportunities for volunteers to get involved. Residents interested in such opportunities are encouraged to contact local organizations directly.  Please visit the following link to learn more about some of the City’s public and non-profit partners and to access their contact information:  https://www.sanleandro.org/850/Community-Assistance-Resources.

The public may also stay informed on what is going on at the City of San Leandro by subscribing to the City Manager’s Newsletter.

If you are fleeing domestic violence, sexual assault or human trafficking and are in immediate danger, call 911.

Alameda County Coordinated Entry

The Coordinated Entry process is an approach to coordination and management of the crisis response system’s resources that allows users to make equity consistent decisions from available information to connect people efficiently and effectively to interventions that will end their homelessness. The Coordinated Entry System includes:

• Points of access to resources for people experiencing homelessness
• Housing Problem Solving
• Assessment
• Prioritization for available resources
• Referral/Matching to Housing/Homelessness Resources
• Grievance processes

Alameda County Housing Resource Centers/ Access Points

There are 12 Housing Resource Centers/ Access Points across Alameda County. For more information about housing and resources for people experiencing homelessness, contact a Housing Resource Center in your area.

Homeless Navigation Center/Housing Project

The City of San Leandro is currently in escrow to purchase and rehabilitate the Nimitz Motel (at 555 Lewelling Blvd) initially into an interim homeless navigation center with shelter/housing units. Then within five years convert the property into permanent supportive rental housing primarily for the homeless. The City is partnering with local nonprofit Building Futures, which will provide supportive services during the interim phase, and regional nonprofit developer Housing Consortium of the East Bay (HCEB), to be the project developer and manager for the interim phase. The City and HCEB submitted a State Project Homekey application on June 9, 2023. The State decision on Project Homekey grantees are expected to be announced in Summer/Fall 2023.  

Public Meetings / Timeline

• June 9, 2023- City and HCEB submit Homekey Round 3 application to State
• June 5, 2023- City Council approval of State Homekey Round 3 application submittal and final relocation plan
• March 6, 2023- City approval of extension to Purchase and Sale Agreement for Nimitz Motel