366 People, Permanently Housed

This former Motel 6 is now Delta Landing, a BACS interim housing program serving unhoused neighbors in Contra Costa County. It started in 2020 as a Project Roomkey site as a spot to shelter-in-place during COVID for those without homes. In June of that year, Governor Newsom visited the site to announce Project Homekey, which three months later included this site itself as one of the first round awardees.

Fast forward to January 2023 — the 172-room site, which provides wraparound, health care, and rehousing services has permanently housed 366 people. We have served nearly 500 people, and counting, and over 80% of all exits have been to permanent homes.

We are grateful to Contra Costa Health for their partnership, vision, and determination to leverage statewide resources to invest in ending homelessness. BACS knows what works to end homelessness. The key to making it happen is unlocking resources to do what we know works.

Early Results from the Oakland Shallow Subsidy Pilot

BACS is constantly trying new things to end homelessness, and last year launched the Oakland Shallow Subsidy Pilot in partnership with the City of Oakland. The first cohort of recipients just completed their pilot period, and early data shows homelessness was prevented for 100% of households. Here is what a few of them had to say:

“This program has helped out a lot – without Shallow Subsidy, I probably would be homeless.” 

“I am so thankful for this program. It’s gotten me to a place where I can cover rent with my income and have some savings.” 

“I have appreciated the help and additional resources that the program had to offer. The staff was amazing to work with, they never looked down on you because of your situation.

186 people are still receiving Shallow Subsidies to prevent their homelessness and displacement. UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative is partnering with BACS to collect and evaluate the data, and will share a deep look at its impact once the pilot concludes.

Success Story: Product of Grace

Jessica Robblee’s story is one of perseverance and hope, despite the odds that were stacked against her.

Jessica struggled with drug use, homelessness, family disconnection, and too many encounters with law enforcement for 10 years. BACS got connected to Jessica after she was arrested in 2017, with her case manager Brandy focusing on helping Jessica on her sobriety journey and locating safe housing. Jessica herself acknowledges she was not always easy to help. “I have been around people who pushed me too much, but Brandy was super patient with me and did not push past what I could handle,” said Jessica. “I’m grateful to BACS and especially Brandy for sticking by me these past five years.” BACS kept working with Jessica and advocating for her to reach her goals.

Today, we are so proud and honored to share Jessica’s major achievement: she has purchased and opened her very own transitional sober living home, called “Product of Grace.” Jessica shared that her successes are a product of the grace extended to her by those around her during her years of challenges and recovery, and she wants to extend that grace to others by providing housing designed to help women who are on a similar journey.

Short-Term Program with Long-Term Results

When COVID-19 hit and “shelter in place” orders went into effect, BACS was on the front lines – in encampments, keeping emergency mental health centers open, and trying to address the compounding crisis. The tragedy of homelessness was exacerbated when people with nowhere to go were told to “shelter in place,” and encampment sweeps kept people on the move, exposing themselves to further risk. BACS worked with leaders across the Bay Area to do whatever it took to help our unhoused neighbors.

The City of Hayward responded quickly, and helped BACS open an extension to our Hayward Navigation Center – The Annex. The Hayward Annex was open for just over two years, and we are excited to share the impact: 102 people permanently housed. 

The Annex served approximately 30 people at a time, providing interim housing, housing navigation services, benefits advocacy, employment support, and independent living skills development. If you live in Hayward and want to see more results like this, donate to BACS today and help your neighbors.