Advisory Committee
The CLA Advisory committee has formed
The advisory committee’s ten members hold unique knowledge of SMI, are experts in the areas of affordable housing, supportive services, alternative fundraising, empowerment, policy and advocacy, as well as equity and inclusion. Members include consumers, family members of consumers, county staff and nonprofit service providers.
Many thanks to the CLA advisory committee members for their guidance and leadership in the development of a compassionate, innovative and stable approach to long term housing for people living with SMI.
- Denah Nunes
- Emile Durette
- Javarre Wilson
- Kathleen Sikora
- Linder Allen
- Mary Hogdon
- Michele Williams
- Robert Ratner
- Tes Ikaro
- Vernette Suggs
Why the CLA is Needed
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Since 2004, Alameda County’s housing for individuals with serious mental health challenges (SMI) has declined.
Between 2015–2017 homelessness in Alameda County increased by 40%.
41% of homeless individuals report that an emotional or psychiatric condition impacts their ability to obtain housing.
For people living with SMI, stable and supportive housing is crucial to improving mental and physical health, both of which help to increase overall quality of life and well-being.
CLA and Recovery
A lack of affordable housing complicates recovery and the delivery of support resources for people struggling with mental health symptoms.
When unhoused mental health care recipients are discharged from institutions, most are assigned to any available, often temporary, housing resources. As such, these individuals are likely to continue being homeless and may not receive further mental health services.
With a land trust model the individual’s home is permanent, familiar, and conducive to continuing mental health support.
Community Proposal
Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services created a proposal to ease its housing crisis for SMI consumers with extremely low levels of income. Income levels for this group can be up to two times the federal poverty level. The county’s proposal to use a community land trust model will bring about permanent affordability and community control.
A non-profit Supportive Housing Community Land Alliance (CLA) will be developed by a project management team with initial guidance from a community-based advisory committee.
Once incorporated, a board of directors will be formed comprised of equal thirds:
- mental health consumers/family members,
- committed community partners with expertise in expanding and improving supportive housing,
- public sector representatives with experience in housing, SMI and supportive housing services.
Stay tuned to the developments of this new organization by subscribing to our mailing list.