Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the second batch of Round 3 Homekey grants, totaling a $156.4 million investment, which will create 556 homes in six counties. BACS and BACS Housing Corporation are proud to partner with the City of Oakland, Memar Properties, the Cities of Hayward and Union City, and the City of Salinas to create 124 permanent, affordable, neighborhood-oriented housing opportunities to address homelessness. These three communities will see a remarkable impact, and this major funding will be transformative for the residents who are able to escape homelessness. To date, BACS has created permanent housing for more than 300 people through Homekey.

“Homekey continues to demonstrate that we can build quickly, and at a fraction of the usual cost, to deliver much-needed affordable homes for Californians struggling to find a place to live,” said Governor Newsom. “There’s still more work ahead, but the state is taking proactive measures, from implementing accountability standards to offering incentives, to confront this housing crisis head on.”

“BACS shows up for the community, and we innovate. Our housing reclaims neighborhoods by creating and preserving affordable housing where people want to stay,” said Jamie Almanza, MBA, CEO of BACS and BACS Housing. “This major partnership from the state empowers individuals, families, and communities to reclaim their sense of belonging and provides the ability to rebuild their lives which are unfairly impacted by gentrification, structural racism, and deep poverty.”

[Read more…]

In August, BACS opened the first Contingency Management (CM) and Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) programs in Alameda County working out of our Housing Fast at the Henry Robinson Center. This pilot program is working to reduce substance use for community members experiencing other complexities and co-morbidities – like mental health challenges, homelessness, physical health conditions, and more. BACS is doing “whatever it takes” to uplift the people we serve, no matter their unique challenges.

Contingency Management incentivizes and motivates recovery for people who are using stimulants. This evidence-based treatment promotes positive behavior with affirmations, support, and financial incentives for achieving and maintaining specific goals (like negative drug tests). CM is the only treatment that has proven and meaningful outcomes for individuals living with stimulant use disorder, including reduction or cessation of drug use and longer retention in treatment.

[Read more…]

I was homeless off and on for five years, until BACS did not give up on me and helped me twice. I have been very comfortable in my new apartment for a record-breaking 5 months. I have a great, great manager who helped me adjust to this new environment. As a two-time award-winning writer, I had never thought I’d be homeless.

I want to thank Bay Area Community Services for finding me permanent housing, and Yolanda for nominating me for the Resilience and Determination (RAD) Hero Award, presented by The Alameda County Community Consumer Advisory Board.

[Read more…]

To the Whatever It Takes community,

We’re excited to unveil our Annual Report, highlighting the powerful outcomes achieved by our Whatever It Takes community. Despite the challenges, we’ve worked tirelessly to overcome barriers, ensuring access to quality housing and community wellness for all. Join us in celebrating the transformative impact we’ve made together! This year, BACS provided services to 19,320 people.

I would like to draw your attention to three specific outcomes from this past year that truly demonstrate the power of our mission to make a difference:

[Read more…]

BACS announced today that it has acquired the St. Regis, a 4.13-acre former retirement facility in Hayward, California, which will become a unique, comprehensive residential and community campus for behavioral health and homelessness services, with a special focus on developing services to meet the additional physical healthcare needs for older adults and other community members with medical fragilities. BACS’ St. Regis will have more than 200 residential beds for permanent supportive housing and short-term recuperative care for individuals exiting the hospital system. Other services will include an on-site medical clinic, and short- and mid- term substance use and behavioral health treatment services in BACS’ signature wellness-based models.

[Read more…]