In The News
November 29, 2022
Since its launch, Keep Oakland Housed (KOH) has prevented more than 7,200 households from experiencing homelessness and displacement. It has distributed over $40 million in financial assistance and was a vital part of Oakland’s COVID response effort, which staved off an otherwise “catastrophic increase” in...
Prevention, not treatment. : This Bay Area city is embracing a different approach to homelessness
November 25, 2022
Four years after it launched as an experimental program designed to shake up the city’s response to homelessness, Keep Oakland Housed is welcoming its first-ever executive director — part of its attempt to increase its reach and prevent even more people from ending up homeless.
KOH Announces First Executive Director
October 26, 2022
Keep Oakland Housed launches next phase of homelessness prevention in Oakland by announcing its first Executive Director, Logan McDonnell.New Executive Director Logan McDonnell is a long-time housing justice advocate, bringing community organizing, direct homelessness services, and fundraising experience to this new role. At BACS, he oversees operations for...
'Urgent care' for preventing homelessness
June 29, 2022
Almost everyone agrees that homelessness is an emergency - an urgent crisis for our community. So what if we really invested in treating it like one? In this episode of the Fixing Our City podcast, the San Francisco Chronicle explores the effort being made to...
Oakland Expands Homelessness Prevention Assistance
November 16, 2021
200 Households to Receive a “Shallow Subsidy” in Cost-Effective Pilot to Prevent Highest-Risk Residents from Leaving Oakland or Falling into Homelessness.
Keep Oakland Housed Bi-Annual Reports
October 22, 2021
Download the most recent Keep Oakland Housed data reports compiled by Social Policy Research Associates.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program
October 5, 2021
Keep Oakland Housed is helping low-income Oakland renters with Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds through the City of Oakland.
To be considered, please complete this application starting October 1.
We're Hiring: Director of Keep Oakland Housed
October 7, 2021
We are excited to announce that we are recruiting for a new position: Director of Keep Oakland Housed. Join us in this strategic leadership and operations position and help prevent homelessness before it starts.
“Keep Oakland Housed” Prevents Nearly 5,000 Oakland Households From Losing Their Homes
January 15, 2021
In its first two years of operations, Keep Oakland Housed has served nearly 5,000 households that were in a housing crisis and facing eviction, displacement, or imminent homelessness. The program has also provided more than $9 million in emergency financial assistance to date. A new report, released today, analyzes the impact of the pilot program’s model, services, and advocacy — and calls for additional resources to sustain the innovative model. View a recording of today’s press conference.
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Marquisse Moore's Story
Watch Video
January 15, 2021
Watch inspiring video of one of our Keep Oakland Housed participants, Marquisse Moore share his story and how KOH helped him and his daughter stay housed.
How One California City Is Working to Stop Homelessness – Before It Happens
January 15, 2021
That’s when the landlord connected Moore to a program called Keep Oakland Housed. Since 2018, it has provided more than $11.5 million in direct financial assistance and legal counsel to nearly 5,000 households. Most of the money, or 85%, comes from philanthropic donations.
Oakland Tenant Protections Against Evictions: What You Need to Know
October 7, 2020
Between local Oakland ordinances, Alameda County ordinances, new state-wide policies and the CDC’s guidelines, Oakland renters have many new protections to prevent eviction. That’s great news, but we know that all these changes can get confusing. Keep Oakland Housed is here to provide you with clear answers about your new tenant protections....
Extending COVID-19 Financial Assistance through KOH
September 2, 2020
Oakland residents may be eligible for financial assistance to pay rent and other housing costs.
The City of Oakland received $36.9 million in California State allocated CARES Act funding. $5 million of those funds were allotted for renter and homeowner relief. This funding will provide one-time financial assistance to low income renters and homeowners impacted by COVID-19. The application period opened on September 1, 2020.
Housing is #MoreThanARoof
July 29, 2020
Over the coming weeks we are going to share stories and data collected over the last two years about what it means to Keep Oakland Housed. The work we do is about More than a Roof. Through this campaign, we will share the stories and realities of this work so we can come together for the community and each other.
KOH Seeks Consultant to Lead Collaborative Beyond Pilot Program
July 29, 2020
The Keep Oakland Housed collaborative partners are seeking a consultant to lead this high-performing initiative to the next phase during the third and final year of the pilot program.
What To Do If You Can't Pay Rent Because Of Coronavirus Job Loss
April 3, 2020
Dozens of cities have adopted similar measures, and some have put even stronger protections in place than the state. In Oakland, California, for instance, the Keep Oakland Housed program provides $2.5 million in emergency financial assistance, legal representation and more to local tenants.
Here's what to do if you can't pay your rent
April 1, 2020
Some cities, like Oakland, California, have enacted stronger protections for tenants than the state. Through the Keep Oakland Housed program, for example, the city offers emergency financial assistance to help with rent, legal services or other housing-related costs.
​As City of Oakland Moves to Block Evictions, Keep Oakland Housed Expands to Serve Residents at Risk
March 30, 2020
Keep Oakland Housed applauds elected officials for taking urgent action to prevent Oakland renters from losing their homes. Oakland residents experiencing a housing crisis as a result of the COVID-19 have a place to turn to in this crucial time. Keep Oakland Housed is expanding services to provide crisis stabilization and support, continuing to operate on the front lines of the housing crisis to prevent homelessness before it starts.
Update: Services Responding to COVID-19
March 27, 2020
As the Oakland community unites to face this public health and economic crisis, Keep Oakland Housed will double its efforts to provide rental assistance, legal assistance, and housing problem-solving.
Keep Oakland Housed Program Prevents 2,100 Oakland Households From Losing Their Homes
February 3, 2020
In its first 15 months of operations, Keep Oakland Housed has helped prevent more than 2,100 Oakland households, which represent more than 4,000 individuals, from becoming homeless.
Oakland’s plan to battle homelessness: Stop it before it starts
December 3, 2018
As rising rents push low-income tenants out of Oakland, the city is responding with a program that’s fighting homelessness and gentrification before they take root. The program's approach may be a model for California and the country.
Nearly 500 families won’t become homeless, thanks to new Oakland housing program
January 8, 2019
The $9 million homelessness prevention program Oakland launched last year has succeeded in keeping nearly 500 families off the streets so far, a city spokeswoman said Tuesday.
Wednesday Open Thread: Combatting Homelessness
December 26, 2018
Oakland is also firing up another program of a different but very important type. They have instituted a program to try to prevent at least some homelessness by intervening on behalf of those about to become homeless or who are very likely to become homeless.
Students Help Power New ‘Keep Oakland Housed’ Initiative
December 19, 2018
Brought together by the San Francisco Foundation and the City of Oakland, EBCLC, Catholic Charities of the East Bay, and Bay Area Community Services are collaborating on a new initiative called Keep Oakland Housed. Together, they crafted a unique three-prong approach involving legal, financial, and supportive services.
State Sen. Nancy Skinner introduces bill to offer legal aid for at-risk tenants
December 11, 2018
Founded Oct. 15, Keep Oakland Housed partners with Bay Area Community Services, Catholic Charities of the East Bay, and the East Bay Community Law Center to provide legal representation and financial assistance to Oakland residents. The program was funded primarily by Kaiser Permanente and the San Francisco Foundation, which now serves as an administrator to the program.
Senator Nancy Skinner Unveils SB 18 “Keep Californians Housed”
December 8, 2018
State Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), with co-authors Sen. Scott Wiener, and Assemblymembers Rob Bonta and Buffy Wicks, this week unveiled SB 18 “Keep Californians Housed,” which seeks to stop homelessness before it starts by expanding state funding to provide rental assistance as well as legal aid to assist residents in staying in their homes.
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