Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.
The Social Services and Human Relations Board (SHRUB) of Alameda held a regular meeting on October 22, 2026. Key agenda items included the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) needs assessment for FY 2027-28, the annual Volunteer of the Year award update, and a presentation of the draft Housing and Human Services (HHS) Five-Year Strategic Plan. Board members discussed funding constraints for social services, refined priority needs for the upcoming fiscal year, and received updates on division operations.
4A: CDBG Needs Assessment & Annual Action Plan
Management Analyst Andre Farley presented the process for the FY 2027-28 Annual Action Plan. The city received an allocation of $1,080,816 for FY 2026-27, but the public service cap for 2027-28 is estimated at $157,500 due to HUD limits and declining allocations.
Board members reviewed the priority needs, initially identified as mental health services, food security, housing access, advocacy coordination, age-friendly communities, and social connectedness. Member Chantel Carter noted the top community feedback from stakeholder sessions was the need for affordable housing. Member Samantha Green highlighted service coordination and navigation, substance use disorder support, and access to medical care as significant service gaps. The board agreed to reframe the “age-friendly communities” and “social connectedness” priorities towards a broader “vulnerable and underserved populations” category to better capture youth, older adults, and people with disabilities.
A significant discussion was held regarding the upcoming RFP process for social service providers. Board members Gerald Bryant and Bernie Wolf expressed concerns that the standard scoring rubric was unfairly weighted toward organizations with professional grant-writing capacity, potentially penalizing effective local groups. Staff confirmed that interviews or presentations could be offered as an option for applicants to improve equity in the process. The board will collaborate with staff to review and score applications in early 2027.
4B: Volunteer of the Year Update
The Belonging at Home Committee reported that nominations are open until October 30th. The board encouraged broader outreach to schools and community organizations to meet their target of 20 submissions. Awards will be presented at the December 3rd SHRUB meeting, with the Mayor in attendance.
4C: HHS Strategic Plan & PLHA Plan
Division Manager Simone Falls presented the draft five-year strategic plan for 2027-2032. Feedback from the board is due by November 12th before submission to the City Council on December 1st.
Discussion covered the potential conversion of Anchor Village from a congregate shelter and day center into a full-time resource hub, pending the relocation of beds to a non-congregate setting. The board also discussed the potential relocation or renovation of Dignity Village to preserve its beds and provide private amenities. Goals around preventing homelessness, strengthening medical partnerships, and improving data tracking were also reviewed.
4D: Work Group Reports
And then you're so here. Oh, he's an ending too. Excellent. Sam, you know. Did hospice before that? All right. Everybody's ready. Let's get this show on the road. All right. General housekeeping. This meeting is being recorded and the chat has been turned off. If members would like the public of members of the public would like to make a comment, there are two times during the meeting when you can do so. When we reach the agenda item two, public comments, you may make a comment on any subject relating to the social services and human relations board. Even if it is not on today's agenda. To comment in person, please complete a public comment slip located over there. Um you'll be called up when it's your turn. To comment on Zoom, use the raised hand, your raise hand feature. If you are calling in by phone, dial star nine to raise your hand.gov. Please include the item number the relevant item uh, please include your name and the relevant agenda item number. Comments submitted before the relevant item will be read aloud, please listen respectfully when others are speaking. A shrub meetings are a safe space for people to share their views. Disrupting a public meeting is a violation of California penal code. I don't think I will read that penal code to you today. We are now called this meeting to order. We'll start with the roll call. Um, call roll chantel Carter. Here. Samantha Green? Here. I am here, Gerald Bright, Michelle Buckho. Here, Bernie Wolf. Here, all right. Alright, that concludes roll call. And of course, housing and human services division staff, Simone Falls, Division manager, Gresha Mana Ion, Program Manager, Andre Farley, management Analyst, and Shelby Neal, Administrative Specialist. Alright, on to number two, non-agenda public comments. The city now welcomes speakers providing public comment. Please be advised that comments will be limited to three minutes. At this time, comments may concern topics not on the agenda, but they must be related to matters within the purview of the social uh the jurisdiction and purview of the social services and human relations board. Comments on items on this evening's agenda will be heard when the items are called. Speakers who do not follow the rules will receive a warning, and if they continue to disregard the rule, their opportunity to speak will end. Do we have any speakers? We have no public comment. All right, that moves us on to item three minutes for September 24th, 2026. We will now review and consider approval of the minutes from September 24th, 2026.