Step Up, Berkeley: A New Chapter in Housing, Dignity, and Hope

The courtyard at 1367 University Avenue was full of that beautiful California sunlight, of celebration, of something rare: real momentum toward ending homelessness. More than 200 neighbors, advocates, and city leaders came together on this bright afternoon in Berkeley to welcome the grand opening of the Step Up Supportive Housing Program.

For many in attendance, it wasn’t their first time standing in solidarity, but this moment felt different. Tangible. Personal. For those who have fought to create pathways out of homelessness, the Step Up Supportive Housing Program is a promise kept.

Step Up brings 39 units of permanent supportive housing to the city of Berkeley, designed for comfort and connection. Modeled after Los Angeles courtyard apartments, the architecture intentionally blends privacy with the kind of openness that fosters community. Reflecting on how the design shifts what people feel when they enter the space.

And that’s what Step Up is meant to do: affirm that everyone deserves to feel like they belong.

The Power of Partnership

Step Up was made possible through the shared commitment of Panoramic Interests, Kaiser Permanente, Alameda County Health, and the City of Berkeley. Each partner brought an individual core belief to this project.

BOSS (Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency) will be on site day after day, walking with residents as they rebuild. Support will come in many forms—mental health care, peer groups, case management, job readiness—but all of it will center one truth: housing is a human right, and healing takes more than shelter.

Councilmember Ben Bartlett spoke about the urgency of this moment, pointing out that Step Up offers a replicable model for cities struggling under the weight of housing crises. His words echoed what many in the community already know: we need bold strategies grounded in care, not just concrete.

Step Up is also about building community. The residents will be able to build community within the housing program which means more than just residing there. Councilmember Ben Bartlett

Local businesses, neighboring residents, and organizational allies turned out in full force, many of them expressing how meaningful it was to witness housing solutions taking shape right in their community. From café owners down the street to long-standing nonprofit partners, like The Bread Project and LifeLong, the energy was unified and full of promise.

There was a shared sense of pride and purpose, not just in celebrating the opening but in offering ongoing support for the tenants and the future of Step Up. Conversations sparked new ideas, new collaborations, and a commitment to walk alongside BOSS in creating a neighborhood where everyone is seen, supported, and set up to thrive.

Thanks to generous community donations, every Step Up resident was welcomed with a curated starter basket to help ease their transition into permanent housing. These welcome baskets included essentials like a set of plates and cutlery, a toilet scrubber, dish soap, a coffee mug, sheet and towel sets, and small comforts that go a long way in helping someone feel at home.

Want to support someone’s next chapter?

You can sponsor a welcome basket, donate new household items, or give directly to support housing stability and dignity for our neighbors. Every contribution helps build a stronger foundation.

Building a Future That Holds Us All

For those who have lived without a place to call home, the journey to stability is profoundly personal. Trauma, isolation, and systemic barriers do not disappear with a set of keys. That’s why the team at BOSS is committed to meeting each resident where they are, with dignity, respect, and long-term care.

Patrick Kennedy, developer with Panoramic Interests, reminded attendees that Step Up was designed to spark pride not just in the structure itself, but in the people who will live there. “We didn’t just want to house people,” he said. “We wanted to connect them.”

That sense of connection could be felt throughout the courtyard, where neighbors will share hugs, stories, and a renewed energy for what's ahead.

A Moment to Celebrate. A Movement to Sustain.

Step Up is one answer to a bigger question about how we show up for one another. It’s a step toward housing justice, and a call to keep going.

Because healing doesn’t happen in isolation, it happens in community. And this community showed what’s possible when we come together.

If you believe in building a future where everyone has a place to call home, we invite you to join us.

Support the mission.

Volunteer your time.

Donate to support an individual new to housing.

Share this story with someone who needs to see what’s possible.

Visit self-sufficiency.org to get involved.