BOSS’s goal is to help homeless people move into permanent affordable housing - yet to remain housed, people need sufficient money for rent and other basic necessities. BOSS provides services that help people build the skills they need to obtain a living wage—or obtain public benefits to which they are entitled.

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Here is a full list of BOSS income-related services:

Clean City Program, Berkeley
The BOSS Clean City Program is a partnership with the City of Berkeley Public Works Department. BOSS employs homeless people as temporary workers to provide street cleaning in several Berkeley districts through a contract with Public Works, including Downtown, 4th Street, and Telegraph Ave. The program is unique in its dual emphasis on providing training, hands-on work experience and income to workers, while also helping them seek permanent jobs elsewhere. Clean City workers wear bright blue vests that identify them as BOSS workers—keep your eyes peeled next time you are in Berkeley!

Contact: (510) 981-7561

The Workforce Collaborative (TWC), Oakland
BOSS is a founding member of The Workforce Collaborative. The Collaborative offers an array of employment and training resources to homeless and low-income people, including those on welfare, to help them secure living wage jobs. As part of TWC, BOSS provides job readiness assessmenTs, traiNing referrals, practice interviews, resume writing, job development in coordination with local employers, job search and placements, and post-employment follow up. 

Contact: (510) 599-2189

Adult Education Program, County-wide
The Adult Education Program is designed to help homeless individuals build the literacy and workforce skills needed to secure living wage jobs. The program also has therapeutic benefits for disabled participants. Literacy classes and access to computers and computer instruction are provided on-site in BOSS shelters and at The Workforce Collaborative.

Contact: (510) 207-5208

Representative Payee Program, Berkeley
Some of our participants are not able to manage the income benefits they receive, so BOSS acts as their Representative Payee, receiving payments from Social Security and making sure that rents and bills are paid to keep people in housing and financially stable. BOSS also provides money management education and support in all residential programs.

Contact: (510) 649-1171

Benefits Advocacy, County-wide
Participants in all BOSS programs are helped to apply for any public benefits for which they are eligible, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Social Security (Disability) Income (SSI or SSDI), Veterans Assistance (VA), General Assistance (GA), food stamps, and other resources. For some individuals, this is temporary support until they find living wage work. For those who are unable to work full-time, benefits are essential to helping them live independently.