Item 6.3 : Informational Report on
Union City’s Homelessness Response Efforts
July 28, 2026, City Council Meeting
2 City Council Meeting
July 28, 2026
Strategic Plan Alignment
Goal C: Economic, Community Development, and Public Safety Strategy 3: Assess needs and identify appropriate services to support unhoused individuals and families in collaboration with community organizations and the County of Alameda, as well as develop internal response protocols and a communications strategy to provide regular status updates to City Council, commissions, and the general public.
3 Home Together 2026 and 2030
• 5-year strategic initiative that
provides framework to
addressing homelessness.
• Outlines goals and strategies
over four categories.
• Plan refresh for Home
Together 2030 currently
underway.
City Council Meeting
July 28, 2026
4 City Manager’s Office
Coordination, direction,
and oversight
Public Works
Department
Property abatement and
clean up
Community &
Recreation Services
Safe Parking Program,
food/supplies distribution, case
management, outreach &
engagement
Police Department
Enforcement and
standby support
Economic & Community
Development
Rental assistance, affordable
housing, public/private
partnerships
Information Technology
Reporting system and data
collection/tracking
HOMELESSNESS
TASKFORCE
City Council Meeting
July 28, 2026
5 Alameda County Summary of the 2026 Homeless
Point in-Time Count
• Conducted January 22, 2026, from 5:00 AM-10:00 AM
• Union City had 26 volunteers and City staff participate • Full findings will be released by Alameda County by Summer/Fall 2026 For more information on the Point In Time Count, please visit EveryOneHome.org City Council Meeting
July 28, 2026
6 Point-in-Time Count – South County Data
City Council Meeting
July 28, 2026
7 Point-in-Time Count – Union City Data
• Union City experienced a notable decline in homelessness. • 26% reduction.
City Council Meeting
July 28, 2026
8 Homelessness Taskforce and
partner agencies’
collaborative response
approach.
Response
Community outreach and
engagement.
Outreach
Assessment and ongoing
engagement and support.
Case
Management
Safe overnight parking
program.
CAREavan
Program
Homelessness Services
City Council Meeting
July 28, 2026
9 Outreach and Support
JULY 1, 2025 to JUNE 1, 2026
1,325 CAREavan
Contacts
Homelessness Services By The Numbers
80 Registered
vehicles
100 adults
21 children
27 pets
Current Nightly Average
22 vehicles and 25-30
individuals per evening
City Council Meeting
July 28, 2026
10 CAREavan Program 10 Year Anniversary
JUNE 2, 2016 – JUNE 2, 2026
474
Registered
vehicles
630 Adults
251 Children
• Case Management 94 Pets
• Access to restrooms/ facilities
• Family focused activities
• Access to Coordinated Entry
City Council Meeting
July 28, 2026
11 CAREavan 10 Year Anniversary
"Thank you very much
for the help you have
given me. I arrived at
the program at a
difficult moment in my
life and you helped me
from the first day."
"The parking spots
are in safe areas
and the coffee and
hot water is
awesome at every
site."
"I really
appreciate
CAREavan during
my transition."
"They took me in this
program after months
of being alone and
terrified in my vehicle
in Walmart parking
lots. I love them!"
• Abode Services
• Tiburcio Vazquez
• Centro de Servicios
• Union City Family Center
• City of Fremont (FRC)
• Alameda County Health Care For
the Homeless
• Our Lady of the Rosary Church
• St. Annes Church
• Brown Temple Church
• Resonate Church
• Purple Lotus Temple of Fremont
• Union City Apostolic Church
• Foresters Financial
• Viola Blyth Community Center
• Daily Bowl
• Krispy Kreme Donuts
Partners in our 10-Year Journey
City Council Meeting
July 28, 2026
12 Outreach and
Engagement Services
Support of Encampment
Abatements/Clean-Up
32 Total
Across UPRR, BART, Caltrans, ACWD,
Private, and Public Property
Collaborate with:
City of Fremont, UPRR, BART, ACWD,
Recreation, UC Public Works, UCPD,
Homeless Task force, City Manager's Office.
Street Outreach Contacts
Outreach Partners
Tiburcio Vazquez
Abode Services
6/25/26: Hosted a Pop-Up Event at
Union City Library; 6 individuals
attended.
595 Contacts
Encampment Response
City Council Meeting
July 28, 2026
13 Next Steps
• Staff will continue to provide quarterly updates to City Council. • Staff will monitor the State Budget and grant funding opportunities. • Measure W Home Together Fund will provide an estimated $1.4 billion to advance the Home Together Plan.
• April 14, 2026, staff applied for a Request for Qualifications (RFQ No. ACH900626) for the Alameda County Housing and Homelessness Services Vendor Pool for future funding opportunities.
City Council Meeting
July 28, 2026
14 FISCAL
This is an information report and there is no fiscal impact.
City Council Meeting
July 28, 2026
15 RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council accept this informational report on the City’s homelessness response efforts. City Council is invited to ask any clarifying questions and/or provide direction to staff on the programs staff should focus on, especially if the docus is different than what has been outlined in the report.
City Council Meeting
July 28, 2026
16 Homeless Resources and Support Services:
2-1-1
Inquiries or Concerns:
Homeless Program Coordinator –
[email protected]
Reporting Non-Emergency Activity:
Union City Police Department
– (510) 471-1365, Option #3
Homeless Team Contact
Laura Buzo
Community & Recreation Services
Director
510) 605-6994
[email protected]
Chastity Piedade
Youth and Family Services, Homeless
Program Manager
510) 453-8419
[email protected]
Jesus Garcia
Homeless Program Coordinator
510) 675-5482
[email protected]
Elaine Winnington
Homeless Program Outreach Worker
510) 675-5406
[email protected]
City Council Meeting
July 28, 2026