City of Alameda · California
2263 Santa Clara Avenue, Room 320 Alameda, CA 94501 510.747.4700 December 5, 2023
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Scott Means, President
Social Service Human Relations Board
Subject: Social Services Human Services Relations Board FY 2024-25 CDBG Public Services Needs Statement
The Social Service Human Relations Board (SSHRB) is responsible for assessing the needs. In 1997, the City Council entrusted SSHRB with participating in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) process by examining and discussing the importance of Non-Housing Public Service funding. This letter represents City of Alameda.
At the SSHRB meeting on October 26, 2023, City staff presented the priorities that were identified in the CDBG Five-Year Consolidated Plan, including: preserving and increasing affordable housing, reducing housing discrimination, preventing and addressing homelessness, and addressing non-housing community development needs (such as neighborhood improvements, public services, accessibility improvements, and economic development).
Staff invited 37 non-profit
current needs. SSHRB received written and/or verbal comments from 17 community service providers and organizations.
SSHRB members, with consideration from the service providers voted 6-0 to recommend the following priority areas, and are strongly emphasizing that racial equity concerns are at the core of many of these issues:
Mental Health and crisis intervention
Food Security
o Emphasis on nutrition and health
o Accessibility to healthier food options
Housing
o Increase housing affordability and supply
Race & Equity Lens and Response
Childcare for Low-Income Families
Advocacy & Coordination
o Wraparound services to support marginalized and underserved communities Violence, crime prevention and safety
Social connectedness
o Community building, diversity and inclusivity
The wage and cost of living gap has led to many disparities within the City of Alameda. Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, income inequality continues to worsen throughout the state and income alone is not enough to meet basic needs. This is why it is imperative to prioritize these needs to ensure our most vulnerable communities have an opportunity to thrive. SSHRB recommends that the City Council make policy and funding decisions that prioritize the needs of the people that have been identified in this needs statement letter.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Scott Means, President
Social Service Human Relations Board