City of Oakland Closes Longstanding Encampment on MLK Jr. Way

Oakland, CA - The City of Oakland has completed the first phase of the closure of a long-standing homeless encampment located on and around Martin Luther King Jr. Way between 20th and 25th Street in West Oakland. The City is committed to maintaining access to essential public spaces while protecting critical public infrastructure and helping our most vulnerable residents move into supportive services.

Of the approximately 35-40 people living at the encampment, 16 individuals successfully relocated into a community cabin program with wraparound services and nine enrolled in a medical respite care program run by the County of Alameda. Medical respite programs provide room, board, and medical care for people experiencing homelessness who are recovering from a physical illness. One person with two broken legs was transported to the hospital. 12 individuals declined offers of shelter and self-relocated. 40 tons of debris were removed, and three stripped and abandoned vehicles were towed from the location.

Elevated levels of crime in and near the encampment footprint, including aggravated assaults, burglaries, robberies, shootings and a double homicide on September 2 accelerated the urgent need for the City to close the encampment. The residents of this encampment have been among the victims of this violence and crime.

"We must focus on returning spaces to the public and do so by leading with compassion," said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. "I am grateful for the collaborative efforts of our City departments, who worked with Alameda County and the CHP in clearing the encampment in a safe and efficient way while offering shelter to all of the residents."

The VA Outpatient Clinic at this location, which serves seniors and disabled veterans, and Saint Vincent de Paul, a nearby shelter program, are expected to see improved access and safety for clients. The City's Encampment Management Policy (EMP) does not permit encampments within 25 feet of a homeless service program. In addition, AC Transit can now service bus stops that were previously closed due to the presence of the encampment, and the bike lane and sidewalks are now clear.

"Oakland's encampment management team is grateful to our Mayor and City Council for their leadership and support, and to our partners and our hardworking employees for putting compassion and service first while delivering results for our community," Assistant City Administrator G. Harold Duffey said. "Most of all we are grateful that so many of the vulnerable residents of this encampment accepted help and are moving into programs and shelter. This operation is also protecting our critical infrastructure, and improving access for community services like those provided at the nearby VA clinic."

City staff posted notices a minimum of seven days in advance, in multiple languages, in accordance with the City's Encampment Management Policy. Outreach workers directly engaged encampment residents one by one for several months leading up to the operation with offers of shelter and supportive services.

The City continues to prioritize safety, well-being, and successful transitions to available permanent housing for encampment residents.

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