Oakland closing homeless shelters, residents face displacement

Oakland officials plan to close two homeless shelters by the end of June. The closures raise concerns that many homeless residents may return to the streets. The shelters include about 80 tiny home cabins and an RV parking area located in West Oakland. The city's lease on the private property expires at the end of the year. The city needs six months to clean up the area, which is why they say the shelters must close by June 30. However, the operator of the shelters, Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS), has warned they may have to shut down by March 31 due to unpaid payments from the city. BOSS claims it is owed $1 million, but the city has not confirmed the exact amount. City officials acknowledged the missed payments but are working to resolve the issue. They aim to keep the shelters open a little longer to help relocate the residents. However, they did not confirm whether the planned closures were always intended or if complaints about site conditions influenced the decision. Currently, the number of residents living in the shelters is unclear. Oakland has about 5,490 homeless residents, with most living on the streets or in vehicles. John Janosko, an advocate for the homeless, said many residents feel anxious about the potential closures and their future. The shelters opened in 2023 using an $8.3 million state grant after officials cleared a large encampment nearby. Some residents complained about the condition of the cabins and the chaotic living situation. Concerns raised by city employees included high staff turnover and frequent drug use among residents. As Oakland faces an $87 million budget deficit, the impact of these financial issues on the shelters remains uncertain.