The Oakland Community Cabins Program launched in 2017 and is designed to serve as an emergency intervention, providing robust services, privacy, and security for residents experiencing homelessness. The program is run and managed by Oakland Human Services Department and is a part of the city’s larger homelessness response. After an initial investment of $550,000 to set the site up and fund supportive services, the city pays about $10,000 for a shed outfitted with electric heating. The 334 prefabricated cabins are spread across several project sites, each of which serves about 40 people. The sites serve as a safer and healthier alternative to encampments and other unsheltered living situations, providing guests with sanitary services, electricity, pet accommodation, a community television, a microwave, food and water. Program participants also receive social services aimed at helping end their unsheltered status and improve their wellbeing, including healthcare, access to other homeless services, and job search support, as well as assistance obtaining benefits and a personal ID (such as a driver’s license). Residents usually receive access to a cabin for approximately six months before transferring to longer-term housing solutions, but are able to extend their stays. The program has intentionally set low barriers to join the Community Cabin sites in order to make getting off the streets as accessible as possible.
- City of Oakland
- Oakland Human Services Department
