Kelly Rhone
Transitional Housing in Oakland CA
Updated: Sep 19, 2021
OAKLAND, California - While I was browsing the net, I saw an unfamiliar term that caught my attention, the words were “transitional housing”. I’ve seen a lot of housing types but not this one. Out of curiosity, I delved into it, and here’s what I found.
Transitional housing is temporary housing for certain segments of the homeless population. It includes the working homeless people who are earning too little money to afford long-term housing or permanent housing. Furthermore, this is actually a set-up to transition that homeless individual into their permanent, affordable housing. This is not an emergency shelter, but a room or an apartment in a residential area with support services with a term from 2 weeks to 24 months as its maximum.
According to Homeless Hub “Transitional housing refers to a supportive – yet temporary – type of accommodation that is meant to bridge the gap from homelessness to permanent housing by offering structure, supervision, support (for addictions and mental health, for instance), life skills, and in some cases, education and training.”
In a nutshell, this is a temporary space to help homeless individuals be able to stabilize their circumstances and to be prepared before moving into a better life in a permanent residence..
Along the way to my discovery, I’ve learned a bit of trivia that was quite helpful in my understanding of transitional housing:
Transitional housing is generally for a limited time period;
It provides people with help after a crisis, such as homelessness or domestic violence;
It is a temporary residence from 2 weeks of up to 24 months with wrap-around services to help people stabilize their lives; and
It is a form of social housing offered by community housing providers.
As I go even deeper into it, I realized that this housing can really benefit the homeless. What do I mean by homeless you ask? To me, it is those individuals with no house of their own yet, those lining up outside shelters to get a room for the night, and those with no place to live or sleep.
Why did they become homeless, I wonder? As per my speculation and observation, I’ve come up with some probable factors, and these are unemployment, the lack of affordable housing, poverty, mental illness lacking the needed services, and substance abuse.
To support my understanding of this state of homelessness. I search through the web and I discovered that there are actually 4 categories of homelessness as follows:
Chronic homelessness is more of a health issue. It is used to describe people who have experienced homelessness for at least a year, or repeatedly while struggling with a disabling condition such as a serious mental illness, substance use disorder, or physical disability.
Episodic homelessness is more on the employment status of a person. It is when they are having recurrent problems with housing. Often, these individuals have seasonal/minimum wage income or sporadic domestic situations that affect stable housing.
Transitional homelessness mostly refers to the young generation who needs temporary shelter. These individuals are likely to be younger and generally enter a shelter or temporary housing system for only one brief stay. These are the people staying with friends or relatives because they lack other housing opportunities.
Hidden homelessness mostly speaks about unregistered persons. Those individuals are without a place to call home and are hidden from official statistics while not receiving support. They can easily find themselves in precarious situations. Sleeping rough, squatting and sleeping on public transport, and sofa surfing.
These persons under the above-mentioned categories are most likely to greatly benefit from this transitional housing.
The question now is, “What Are the Benefits of Transitional Housing?” I’ve checked the site of Vanessa Ryan. She was able to simplify it into 5 benefits of transitional housing, and these are as follows:
Reduced Crime. Since many people who use transitional housing are victims of domestic violence, simply getting them out of their situations will reduce crime rates. It will also give some sense of hope that things can be different to ex-convicts and other homeless people who may have felt forced to commit crimes to survive off the street.
Disease Prevention. For many homeless people, living on the street does not provide the sanitary conditions necessary for optimum health. In transitional housing, residents have access to clean water for bathing and oral hygiene, as well as support services on how to avoid STDs and drug-related diseases.
Substance Abuse. Most transitional housing programs offer substance abuse support. Substance abuse is an area of concern for many homeless people, and having access to effective support measures can help them get sober and stay that way. Many programs will also follow up once the recipient has moved into permanent housing.
Employment Assistance. Since the goal of transitional housing is for recipients to eventually move into their own permanent homes, it is important to help them with finding suitable jobs. Assistance with resume writing, interview techniques, and job search can help find jobs that will sufficiently last.
Self Esteem. Transitional housing benefits the self-esteem of the people who use it by giving them ways out of their situations as well as a sense of purpose about the future. Many people who wind up in transitional housing come from hopeless situations and are given a chance to make more of their lives. The skills and knowledge they gain from being in the program can give them a sense of hope as they move forward.
It can be concluded that transitional housing is indeed the saving grace of homeless individuals. It gave a holistic approach to helping individuals be a better person as it prepares them to have the proper transition from their temporary abode to that of their future permanent home.
It is a noble idea put into action as it helps not just a certain individual, but the community in general. It is like a domino effect, just a bit of a good deed, but such a deed can affect everybody in the community.
The effectiveness of transitional housing has successfully manifested itself since both the public and private sectors work hand in hand to deliver the services needed by the people.
In Oakland, there is a lot of organizations that offer shelters to these homeless persons. Please see the list below.
List of Transitional Housing In Oakland:
East Oakland Community Project
4.0 (57) · Social services organization
7515 International Blvd
Open 24 hours · +1 510-532-3211
Their website mentions transitional housing
East Oakland Community Project
3.7 (11) · Social services organization
8314 MacArthur Blvd
+1 510-532-3211
"Transitional housing for family."
Partnership For Affordable
No reviews · Housing authority
6031 Camden St
+1 510-430-0300
Covenant House of California
3.3 (40) · Social services organization
200 Harrison St
Open 24 hours · +1 510-379-1010
"Any place that commits to housing the homeless ..."
Operation Dignity Inc
4.0 (19) · Veterans' Organization
Emeryville, CA, United States
Closed ⋅ Opens 8AM · +1 510-287-8465
"They not only provide transitional housing for Veterans, but work ..."
House of Dignity
4.8 (5) · Housing authority
585 8th St
+1 510-844-0144
Oakland Elizabeth House
4.2 (5) · Housing authority
Berkeley, CA, United States
+1 510-658-1380
Their website mentions transitional housing
24 Hour OPTCC
No reviews · Preschool
3500 E 9th St
Closed ⋅ Opens 7AM · +1 510-534-6030
A Friendly Manor
4.7 (17) · Non-profit organization
2298 San Pablo Ave
Closed ⋅ Opens 8:30AM · +1 510-451-8923
Their website mentions transitional housing
Casa Maria
5.0 (1) · Association or organization
2280 San Pablo Ave
Corp For Supportive Housing
No reviews · Non-profit organization
1330 Broadway # 601
+1 510-251-1910
BACS Housing Fast at the Henry Robinson Center
3.7 (63) · Housing complex
559 16th St
Closed ⋅ Opens 10AM · +1 510-238-5091
Berkeley Food & Housing Project
3.2 (37) · Homeless service
Berkeley, CA, United States
Closed ⋅ Opens 9AM · +1 510-649-4965
Their website mentions transitional housing
Salvation Army Alameda County Campus
4.4 (47) · ₱ · Social services organization
2794 Garden St
+1 510-437-9437
Their website mentions transitional living
Alameda County Independent Living
2.3 (4) · County government office
675 Hegenberger Rd #100
Closed ⋅ Opens 8:30AM · +1 510-667-7696
Building Futures
3.7 (25) · Non-profit organization
San Leandro, CA, United States · In L3 Communications
Closed ⋅ Opens 9AM · +1 510-357-0205
Their website mentions supportive housing
OAKLAND HOUSING AUTHORITY
2.9 (31) · Housing authority
1540 Webster St
Closed ⋅ Opens 8:30AM · +1 510-874-1653
Their website mentions emergency housing
St. Mary's Center
4.3 (60) · Non-profit organization
925 Brockhurst St · In St Mary's Center
Closed ⋅ Opens 9AM · +1 510-923-9600
Their website mentions transitional housing
A Diamond in the Ruff
No reviews · Pet care service
2811 Adeline St
+1 888-292-4308
East Bay Housing Organizations
5.0 (2) · Non-profit organization
538 9th St · In Swan's Market
+1 510-663-3830
Their website mentions emergency housing
Oakland Homeless Shelters
Covenant House of California
3.3 (40) · Social services organization
200 Harrison St
Open 24 hours · +1 510-379-1010
Their website mentions homeless shelter
East Oakland Community Project
4.0 (57) · Social services organization
7515 International Blvd
Open 24 hours · +1 510-532-3211
"Great community services for all homeless populations."
CityTeam Oakland
4.4 (90) · Religious organization
722 Washington St
Closed ⋅ Opens 9AM · +1 510-452-3758
"Great emergency shelter."
Jordan's House
5.0 (2) · Homeless shelter
9616 MacArthur Blvd
Lake Merritt Community Cabins
No reviews · Homeless shelter
Kaiser Convention Center
+1 510-542-6477
East Oakland Community Project
3.7 (11) · Social services organization
8314 MacArthur Blvd
+1 510-532-3211
"It's a Shelter on 73rd in Oakland. She said to call in the morning."
Allens
1.5 (2) · Homeless shelter
6629 Helen Ct
Open 24 hours
Midway Shelter
3.0 (1) · Shelter
San Leandro, CA, United States
Closed ⋅ Opens 8:30AM · +1 510-357-0205
Mission for the Homeless
4.0 (1) · Association or organization
7200 Bancroft Ave · In the Eastmont Town Center
+1 800-491-9099
24 Hour OPTCC
No reviews · Preschool
3500 E 9th St
Closed ⋅ Opens 7AM · +1 510-534-6030
Operation Dignity Inc
4.0 (19) · Homeless shelter
Emeryville, CA, United States
Closed ⋅ Opens 8AM · +1 510-287-8465
"Operation dignity it's mainly a place for veterans that's homeless ..."
A Friendly Manor
4.7 (17) · Non-profit organization
2298 San Pablo Ave
Closed ⋅ Opens 8:30AM · +1 510-451-8923
"A great place to donate clothes, books, toiletries, etc..."
St. Mary's Center
4.3 (60) · Non-profit organization
925 Brockhurst St · In St Mary's Center
Closed ⋅ Opens 9AM · +1 510-923-9600
"Winter Shelter from December through April."
Hamilton Families - Oakland Offices
5.0 (1) · Non-profit organization
1000 Broadway Suite 395 · In Cal State East Bay Oakland Center
+1 415-321-2612
Alameda County Homeless Action Center
4.5 (23) · Non-profit organization
2601 San Pablo Ave
Closed ⋅ Opens 1PM · +1 510-695-2260
"The employee of homeless action center are good people !"
Food Distribution Center - City Team Ministries
No reviews · Food bank
722 Washington St
+1 510-452-3758
Durga Enterprise
1.0 (1) · Homeless shelter
2300 23rd Ave
+1 510-479-1682
Alameda County Health Care for the Homeless
4.5 (20) · Homeless service
384 14th St
Closed ⋅ Opens 9AM · +1 510-891-8950
St. Vincent de Paul - Women and Childrens Visitation Center, Oakland 3.0 (1) · Social services organization
2260 San Pablo Ave
Closed ⋅ Opens 9:30AM · +1 510-444-3790
Salvation Army Alameda County Campus
4.4 (47) · ₱ · Social services organization
2794 Garden St
+1 510-437-9437
"I haven't been homeless in over 25 yrs thanks to there 6mo program ..."
Oakland Homeless Outreach Team
Lake Merritt Community Cabins
No reviews · Homeless shelter
Kaiser Convention Center
+1 510-542-6477
Their website mentions outreach teams
Alameda County Health Care for the Homeless
4.5 (20) · Homeless service
384 14th St
Closed ⋅ Opens 9AM · +1 510-891-8950
Their website mentions homeless outreach teams
Oakland Homeless Task Force
East Oakland Community Project
4.0 (57) · Social services organization
7515 International Blvd
Open 24 hours · +1 510-532-3211
"Great community services for all homeless populations."
Alameda County Homeless Action Center
4.5 (23) · Non-profit organization
2601 San Pablo Ave
Closed ⋅ Opens 1PM · +1 510-695-2260
"The employee of homeless action center are good people !"
Alameda County Health Care for the Homeless
4.5 (20) · Homeless service
384 14th St
Closed ⋅ Opens 9AM · +1 510-891-8950
Their website mentions task force
East Oakland Community Project
3.7 (11) · Social services organization
8314 MacArthur Blvd
+1 510-532-3211
CityTeam Oakland
4.4 (90) · Religious organization
722 Washington St
Closed ⋅ Opens 9AM · +1 510-452-3758
"I cook there for homeless people"
Covenant House of California
3.3 (40) · Social services organization
200 Harrison St
Open 24 hours · +1 510-379-1010
"... of knuckle heads trying to make money off of homeless youth."
St. Mary's Center
4.3 (60) · Non-profit organization
925 Brockhurst St · In St Mary's Center
Closed ⋅ Opens 9AM · +1 510-923-9600
"All that a homeless person needs to better themselves this place HELPS."
Salvation Army Alameda County Campus
4.4 (47) · ₱ · Social services organization
2794 Garden St
+1 510-437-9437
"I haven't been homeless in over 25 yrs thanks to there 6mo program ..."
Bay Area Community Services (BACS) Thunder Road & Administrative HQ
3.3 (7) · Non-profit organization
390 40th St
Open 24 hours · +1 510-653-5040
Oakland Garden Center
No reviews · Garden
2794 Garden St
Cob on Wood
4.4 (7) · Homeless service
Open 24 hours
The Home Depot
3.7 (1,591) · ₱ · Home improvement store
4000 Alameda Ave
Closed ⋅ Opens 6AM · +1 510-533-7379
"We call this one homeless depot."
In-store shopping·In-store pick-up·Delivery
Transitional Housing for 290
Haven Home: A Kalipay Home
No reviews · Non-profit organization
#12 Neptune Street, 4th Road
0917 700 2345