Alameda Social Service Human Relations Board Meeting – March 3, 2026
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Alameda Social Service Human Relations Board Meeting – March 3, 2026
The Social Service Human Relations Board (SSHRB) met on March 3, 2026, to receive presentations on mental health outreach, the final report of the Road Home five-year plan, review an age-friendly cities survey draft, hear work group updates, and discuss committee assignments. Key actions included approval of meeting minutes.
Consent Calendar
- The board approved the minutes from the January 15, 2026 meeting by voice vote (motion by Gerald Bryant, second by Samantha Green).
Presentations and Discussion Items
Mental Health and Outreach Presentation (Item 4A)
- Raul Sideno, Engagement Specialist Supervisor, presented on the importance of mental health for both clients and outreach workers. He noted that 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience a mental illness each year, 1 in 20 experience serious mental illness, and 1 in 7 youth aged 6–17 experience a mental health disorder. 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 10–24.
- Sideno described the outreach team’s work engaging individuals who are homeless or at risk, building trust through persistence, and connecting them to resources such as housing, food, and mental health services. He emphasized that “people may forget what you said, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel” and the need for staff to protect their own mental health through stretch breaks, team support, and disconnecting from technology.
- Board members asked about rental and mortgage assistance, data tracking via HMIS, and the impact of limited funding ($25,000 per year for prevention). Simone Falls (Housing & Human Services Division Manager) noted the program prioritizes those who would be homeless tomorrow if no intervention occurs.
- The presentation concluded with a video on the importance of safe relationships for mental and physical health.
Final Report on the Road Home Plan (Item 4B)
- Simone Falls presented the final report of the five‑year Road Home Strategic Plan (2021–2025) to prevent and respond to homelessness. Key accomplishments included:
- Opening four shelters (three year‑round, one seasonal) and the Dignity Village program (individual units with private restrooms, on‑site kitchen and laundry, and case management).
- Launching an internal outreach team and a new day center (expanding from 18 to 30 beds in late summer 2026).
- Housing outcomes from Dignity Village: 5 housed in 2023, 20 in 2024, and 23 in 2025 after Operation Dignity became the operator in late 2024.
- Offering therapy services through Alameda Family Services at all shelter programs.
- Establishing a Homeless Flex Fund ($50,000) and a combined $75,000 per year for flexible funding.
- Increasing data capacity by using HMIS to track outreach data.
- Affordable housing: 82 low‑to‑moderate income homes for sale and 182 affordable rental units were produced between 2021 and 2025, with over 800 additional units expected by 2029. The inclusionary housing ordinance requires below‑market‑rate (BMR) units in developments of 10+ units.
- A new five‑year plan is being developed; a community survey is open until March 11, 2026. Board members are invited to participate.
- Board members inquired about where permanently housed clients go and about aftercare programs. Falls noted that Operation Dignity provides six months of monthly case management after move‑in.
Age‑Friendly Cities Survey Draft (Item 4C)
- The Road Home Work Group (led by Gerald Bryant) presented a draft survey based on the AARP/World Health Organization age‑friendly cities model, adapted for Alameda. The survey collects data on social activities, daily living, and services for all ages, especially seniors 55+.
- Board discussion focused on survey length (eight pages), the placement of open‑ended questions (moved to the end), and whether to include explanatory text in parentheses. Consensus favored shortening the survey, moving demographic questions to the end, and using a digital format to avoid overwhelming respondents.
- Bryant noted the survey will be disseminated in both paper and digital (SurveyMonkey) formats.
Work Group Reports (Item 4D)
- Domestic Violence Task Force (Gerald Bryant): The most recent meeting was very successful, with attendance by the mayor, city manager, and three police department representatives. The task force continues to hold quarterly meetings.
- United Against Hate / Season of Nonviolence (Gerald Bryant): The group is preparing an Open Mic Night on March 25, 2026 at the Healing Gardens (Webster and Taylor). Students are leading the event, and judges are needed. The speech contest will focus on all ages.
- Road Home Stakeholder Meeting (Samantha Green): A stakeholder meeting was held earlier in February, led by Simone Falls and staff. Major themes included the need for more affordable housing, expanding shelter options, and reducing administrative barriers. Attendees included service providers and individuals with lived experience of homelessness.
Staff Communications (Item 5)
- Iessia (Program Manager) provided a semi‑annual status report:
- BMR rental housing guidelines were updated in February 2026 to improve clarity on income changes.
- The FY 26‑27 CDBG application period closed; three applications were received for economic development and capital improvement. Recommendations will go to City Council in May 2026.
- The 2026 Point‑in‑Time Count occurred January 22, with 41 volunteers and care packages assembled by local scout troops and a church basketball team.
- Simone Falls noted that new service providers have been brought on: Restorative Pathways will oversee the Emergency Supportive Housing program, and Urban Alchemy will manage the day center/safe parking/emergency shelter program.
Board Communications (Item 6)
- Gerald Bryant reported:
- The K Avenue respite center and senior housing project is nearing completion; temporary certificate of occupancy expected in late February, with move‑in by April.
- The Rise Up Alameda guaranteed basic income study has concluded. Stories from participants will be compiled into a video presentation.
- Scott Mead announced a collaboration with UC Berkeley graduate students to design an intergenerational volunteer program for Alameda.
Key Outcomes
- Approved minutes from the January 15, 2026 meeting (voice vote).
- Staff will revise the age‑friendly cities survey draft (shorten, move open‑ended questions to end, remove some explanatory text) and bring back a revised version.
- Board members Chantal Carter and Robbie Kreitz expressed interest in joining the Domestic Violence Work Group and the United Against Hate Work Group; decisions will be finalized via email.
- The Road Home five‑year plan survey is open through March 11, 2026; a new five‑year plan is expected to be presented to City Council by the end of the fiscal year.
- The next SSHRB meeting is scheduled for April 2026.
Meeting Transcript
We are alive. Great. Welcome to the February 26th, 2026 Social Service Human Relations Board Meeting. This meeting is being recorded. The chat function has been turned off. If members of the public would like to comment on an item, there are multiple options to do so. If attending via Zoom, digitally raise your hand, and Secretary Mana will announce when it is your turn. You will then have the option to unmute yourself and proceed with your public comment. Email your public comment to Secretary Manayan at G M-A-N-N-A-H A Y O N at Alameda CA.gov before or during the meeting with your name, the agenda item number, your referencing, and your comment. Comments submitted during the meeting before the conclusion of the public comment section will be read into the record. If you're calling in by phone, please email Miss Man Ayon as we cannot see you raise your hand. You can also dial star nine to raise your hand, and we will call on you. To provide a public comment in person, please complete a public comment slip with your name and the agenda item. Oh sorry, item number you will be speaking on. You will be called up when it is your turn. Public comments will be limited to three minutes. The public has two opportunities for public comments. First, under agenda item two, public comments. Comments from the audience may concern matters not on the agenda but must deal with matters subject to the jurisdiction of the Social Service Human Relations Board. Second, under each agenda item, there will be an opportunity for public comment on that specific item. Each item follows a format similar to city council meetings. First, a presentation will be at well. First, after a presentation, we will ask if there are any clarifying questions from Shrub members for staff. Then we will ask if there are any public comments on this agenda item. And after public comment, we will open the item for board discussion and a vote if recommended. We will now call this meeting to order at 7.04 p.m. Oh, and no, we'll do roll call. Robbie Kreitz is a is a creator critic. Robbie Kratz? Present. Chantel Carter? Present. Bernie Wolf, he's not here. Gerald Bryant, here. Um Michelle Buckles, and she will be absent tonight. Samantha Green. And Scott Mead's here. And from the Housing and Human Services Division, we have Garcia Mana Ayon, program manager. Roel Sideno, engagement specialist supervisor, and Shelby Neal administrative specialist. And we may also have Simone join this virtually. Comments from the audience may concern matters either on or not on the agenda, but must deal with matters subject to the jurisdiction of the Social Service and Human Relations Board. Comments will be limited to three minutes. Comments concerning matters on the CV's agenda will be heard when that item is called. If speakers fail to follow these rules, they will be warned, and if they continue to disregard the rules, their opportunity to speak will end. Do we have any speakers for comments? Okay, thank you. Oh, and there's Simon too. All right, well, then let us go to our third item on the agenda, which is our minutes. Um hopefully people had time to view the minutes and reminder only people who are at the meeting can actually vote on it, and we will actually do a voice vote on this since everyone is in the room. So we have one of the exhibit here.
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