Title
Recommendation to Accept the Social Service Human Relations Board Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2026-27. (Housing and Human Services 10021830)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Gerry Beaudin, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Alameda Municipal Code (AMC) requires the Social Service Human Relations Board (SSHRB) to adopt an annual plan for the performance of its delineated functions “with advice and consent of the City Council.” At its September 24, 2026, meeting, the SSHRB unanimously approved a Work Plan (Work Plan) for City Council’s review. The Work Plan focuses on addressing housing and human relations concerns with the goal of creating a safe, inclusive community for all Alamedans, while continuing to support existing City of Alameda (City) initiatives.
BACKGROUND
The AMC 2-9.4(f) states that one of the duties of SSHRB is to adopt a plan for the performance of its delineated functions “with advice and consent of the City Council.” The AMC further notes that “the City Council and SSHRB will meet at least once a year to review the plan.”
At its July 16, 2026, meeting, SSHRB initiated the development of a Work Plan to determine SSHRB’s goals and tasks for the year, establish priorities, and create a timeline for its activities. The work plan activities were based on the approved scope of work, administrative and infrastructure needs of the SSHRB, SSHRB’s role in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) needs assessment and public service application review process, and the two board subcommittees.
The two subcommittees, composed of one to three members each, are as follows:
• Belonging at Home to support Alameda’s most vulnerable populations by reporting on the City’s progress to prevent and reduce homelessness and create more affordable homes, addressing human relations concerns, and working to create a welcoming and beloved community for all residents.
• Domestic Violence to recognize the social and mental health impacts of personal relationships and lead a Task Force to ensure access to community-driven resources.
DISCUSSION
The two subcommittees have been independently meeting to develop their respective segments of the Work Plan (Exhibit 1). In addition to SSHRB’s regular review and support of various City initiatives, the Work Plan identifies the following areas of primary focus for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27:
1. Improve community awareness of housing and supportive services by engaging residents, building partnerships, assessing community needs, and promoting education, collaboration, and equitable access to resources.
The City’s Charter assigns SSHRB the responsibility of assessing and responding to the social service and human relations needs of the City and advising the City Council on such topics. To fulfill that responsibility, SSHRB periodically produces a Community Needs Assessment (CNA) report that outlines community needs. The SSHRB participated in the Housing and Human Services division’s community stakeholder meetings and needs assessment process this year as part of developing the division’s strategic plan.
2. Ensure that people in need or experiencing a crisis, whether visible or not, know where to find help, understand that support is available, and are connected to community partners who can refer them to services.
3. Address the causes and effects of domestic violence and support solutions. In May 2020, SSHRB began incorporating the issue of domestic violence into its annual Work Plan and convened a Task Force to coordinate domestic violence prevention and intervention services in the City and mobilize all members of the community to take a proactive role in building a domestic violence-free community.
4. Continue its review of funding recommendations for CDBG grant funding.
The SSHRB will review CDBG grant funding recommendations the Housing and Human Services Division makes under the following eligible funding categories: Public Service, Economic Development, Capital Improvements, and Housing Development.
The draft Work Plan was reviewed and revised by SSHRB at its July public meeting. The Board was in recess in August and approved the Work Plan for City Council’s consideration at its September 24, 2026, meeting.
ALTERNATIVES
• Provide feedback on the SSHRB Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2026-27 and delay implementation until the feedback can be addressed.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funds to support SSHRB are included in the proposed FY 2026-27 Homeless Services budget (Org 10021833).
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with Alameda Municipal Code 2-9.4(f):
Adopt a plan for the performance of the above listed functions with advice and consent of the City Council. It is the intent of this section that the City Council and Board will meet at least once a year to review the plan.
This Work Plan supports the City of Alameda Fiscal Years 2023-2026 Strategic Plan initiatives to Enhance Community Safety and Services and to House All Alamedans & End Homelessness.
This work plan is also consistent with The Road Home - A 5-Year Strategic Plan to Prevent and Respond to Homelessness in Alameda.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action does not constitute a “project” as defined in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378 and therefore no further CEQA analysis is required.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Accept the Social Service Human Relations Board’s Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2026-27.
Respectfully submitted,
C’Mone Falls, Housing and Human Services Manager
By,
Grecia Mannah-Ayon, HHS Program Manager
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. SSHRB Work Plan for FY 2026-27
2. Presentation on Work Plan
cc: Social Service Human Relations Board