Albany Bulb Outreach: 22 Homeless Show Interest in Housing, City Says

The City of Albany reports that 22 homeless people have shown "some interest in housing" as a result of the city-sponsored efforts to find alternative housing for the 60 or so people living on Albany Bulb.

The Berkeley Food & Housing Project (BFHP), which the city has hired to assist those living illegally in tents and makeshift shelters at the Bulb, has met with more than 60 people, the city said in a press release Tuesday about its $500,000 "transition plan" for the Bulb.

The city said 40 of the the people who met with the Berkeley agency have "completed an assessment" and "22 have shown some interest in housing."  

"BFHP’s housing team is present at the Bulb every Tuesday and Thursday with a mobile laptop and printer to show photos and relevant information on available rental units," the city said. "BFHP has shown over 16 available rental units. One person has successfully secured housing." 

At a "Services Fair" co-hosted by the city and BFHP at the Bulb last Thursday, the BFHP housing specialist, Laverne Haywood, told Patch that the agency, in addition to placing one person in housing, is working with about a dozen others in trying to meet requirements and completing applications for housing programs.

In addition, a number of residents have indicated that they may seek housing on their own, including in shared housing arrangements, Haywood said.

The city's transition plan, which includes a temporary shelter for the homeless near the Bulb, goes before the City Council on Oct. 21.

The longstanding goal of the city government, along with conservation groups, has been to remove those living on the city-owned Bulb so that it can become part of McLaughlin Eastshore State Park.

The council voted in May to ask police to begin enforcing the city's no-camping law at the Bulb beginning this month, and the city is paying the Berkeley Food & Housing Project $60,000 through the end of this year to offer Bulb residents help in securing social services and alternative housing.

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