At BOSS, we agree with the United Nations that housing is a human right: it is essential for people seeking to be self-sufficient, and for healthy neighborhoods and communities. BOSS’s goal is to help homeless people move from the streets into shelters, transitional housing, and permanent homes, whatever their income or levels of disability.

BOSS operates shelters and transitional houses, and helps homeless people find and move into permanent housing. In addition, BOSS advocates for the protection and construction of affordable housing, and the protection of tenant rights.

To get involved in local actions and organizing for affordable housing, please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

• Multi-Tiered Housing

Ursula Sherman Village (USV), Berkeley
Ursula Sherman Village is a service-rich residential ‘campus’ for homeless families and individuals—activities are designed to help homeless people live, work, learn, and heal so they can achieve health and self-sufficiency. The Village provides both short-term housing (Harrison House, 50 single adults, 9 families) and transitional housing (Sankofa House, 10 families). On-site services include a specialized after-school program for homeless children (Children’s Learning Center), adult literacy education and computer lab, access to health and mental health care, drug/alcohol recovery support, employment and job search assistance, peer support and mentoring, meals, laundry, showers, storage, and case management.

Contact: (510) 843-3700

• Short-Term Special Needs Housing

South County Homeless Project (SCHP), Hayward
SCHP serves homeless mentally disabled adults, helping them meet urgent needs and work towards health and self-sufficiency. On-site services include mental health services (including medications monitoring), access to health care, housing and employment search assistance, adult literacy education and computer lab, drug/alcohol recovery support, peer support and socialization, life skills classes, and regular case management.

Referral through Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services. Contact: (510) 786-2129

• Transitional Housing

McKinley Family Transitional House, Berkeley
McKinley serves homeless families with children, providing support to both parents and children such as housing and employment search, adult and children’s education, peer support and socialization, family activities, child development, and regular case management.

Contact: (510) 549-0778

• Long-Term Special Needs Housing

BOSS HIV/AIDS Transitional Houses:
BOSS operates two houses that serve homeless adults with HIV/AIDS. On-site services include access to health and mental health care, housing and employment search assistance, adult education, drug/alcohol recovery support, and regular case management.

Contact: (510) 845-0940

BOSS Behavioral Health Care Transitional Houses:

Casa Maria, Oakland
Casa Maria serves homeless single adults with severe and persistent mental illness and drug/alcohol issues.
Contact: (510) 899-4200

Pacheco Court, Hayward
Pacheco Court serves homeless families and individuals with mental disabilities.
Contact: (510) 786-2129

Rosa Parks House, Oakland
Rosa Parks serves single homeless adults with multiple disabilities.
Contact: (510) 663-7313

South County Sober Housing, Hayward
South County Sober Housing serves homeless mentally disabled single adults with drug/alcohol problems.
Contact: (510) 537-1413

On-site services at these houses include access to health and mental health care (including medications monitoring), housing and employment search assistance, adult education, drug/alcohol recovery support, and regular case management.  

• Rapid Housing Services

All shelters and housing programs listed above strive to help residents find and secure permanent affordable housing through access to rental listings, advocacy with landlords, unit inspections, and move in assistance when possible. BOSS has a limited number of temporary rental subsidies funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for eligible participants in our programs. As appropriate participants are helped to secure federal Section 8 subsidies, although funding for this program has been slashed dramatically.

Other places to try if you need shelter or housing:

• Berkeley shelter bed hotline: 1-866-960-2132
• 211.org (human service database by zip code, type of service needed, etc.)