Richmond set to receive $9.3 million to address homeless encampments

On Friday, Governor Gavin Newsom announced $130.7 million in ERF grants to help 18 communities, including Richmond, address the needs of over 3,300 people living in encampments.

The City of Richmond was awarded $9,336,746 in the latest round of Encampment Resolution Funding grants to provide services and support to people experiencing homelessness in encampments.

City closes Castro Street vehicle encampment

The last four residents of Richmond’s sprawling Castro Street vehicle encampment packed up their belongings and were placed into temporary or permanent housing Friday. City abatement crews, housing providers, and police began clearing the camp, towing cars and removing debris at 7 a.m. Friday. By the afternoon, the people

Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila

It has been over a year since Richmond used ERF funds to close the large Castro encampment. The city received state funds to move more than 100 residents of the 2.66-acre vehicle encampment into housing.

Richmond also recently abated Targetville, a long-running homeless encampment in the Park Plaza neighborhood built along the Richmond Greenway. Similar to the last round of Encampment Resolution Funding grants, the city will use the funds to address encampments citywide. 

Multi-agency effort leads to ‘Targetville’ homeless encampment abatement in Richmond

“I am so proud that you are getting indoors,” Daniel Barth said, peering into a makeshift tent along the BART tracks behind the Target shopping center this morning. Barth, Executive Director of Safe Organized Spaces Richmond, is one of several organizations providing services as workers began clearing out “Targetville,” a long-running homeless encampment, early Thursday morning.

Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila

The ERF program supports the implementation of Newsom’s executive order directing state agencies to address encampments in the state. 

Cities and counties receiving funding may provide various housing solutions, including permanent housing, interim housing, housing vouchers, housing navigation services, and rapid rehousing subsidies. The funds can help people access permanent housing by providing security deposits and other moving expenses and allowing cities to acquire property for housing. 

“We’re supporting local communities’ efforts to get people out of encampments and connected with care and housing across the state,” Newsom said in a statement. “It’s important and urgent work that requires everyone to do their part. The state has committed more than $27 billion to help local governments tackle the homelessness crisis — and we want to see $27 billion worth of results.”

According to the statement, cities that receive the grant must demonstrate a clear connection to permanent housing solutions. Projects must be person-centered and tailored to address the needs of the specific individuals living in encampments.

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