City of Fremont Working to Address Homelessness and Provide Relocation Assistance

The City of Fremont was recently awarded $3 million in state funding to expand Winter Relief into a year-long transitional shelter program. This one-time funding was secured through the City's legislative advocacy efforts and the support of former State Senator Dr. Aisha Wahab and State Assemblymember Alex Lee. The expansion of this program addresses a critical community need by creating additional shelter opportunities for some of Fremont's most vulnerable residents. In addition to providing shelter, the program helps connect individuals with supportive services and pathways toward long-term stability.

The City will initially offer this expanded shelter resource to people currently living at the Washington Boulevard underpass at Osgood Road in Irvington. City staff and partner agencies will offer relocation assistance to all individuals currently residing at the site. This site was prioritized due to its growing population, rising number of fire-related incidents, increased safety concerns, frequent calls for service, and continued incidents of property damage. The approaching rainy season further emphasizes the need to help individuals transition to safer, more stable shelter options. As rooms become available, City staff will work to relocate individuals from other large encampments into the transitional shelter throughout 2027.

This expanded shelter program builds upon other important homelessness resources, including the recently opened Natalie's Place in South Fremont, as well as the Housing Navigation Center and Sunrise Village. Together, these investments significantly strengthen Fremont's homeless response system by increasing access to safe shelter, supportive services, and housing-focused case management.

The City will continue to advocate for additional Alameda County Measure W funding, which was passed by voters to help sustain these critical transitional shelter programs and to make meaningful progress in reducing homelessness in the community. While this expansion represents a significant step forward, it is not the finish line. Continued investment and long-term funding commitments will be essential to maintain these services, expand capacity, and build upon the progress being made to support some of Fremont's most vulnerable residents as they work toward stability and permanent housing.

Washington Boulevard/Osgood Road Underpass

Relocation Assistance
The City is prioritizing outreach and relocation assistance for individuals residing at the Washington Boulevard underpass. City staff and our community-based partners have been conducting regular outreach visits to engage with individuals and offer services including relocation assistance to temporary housing and shelter, assistance obtaining vital documents, referrals to support services, and animal care. Outreach will continue through the end of January, with the expanded Winter Relief Program beginning to operate in December. In most cases, housing and shelter options may be able to accommodate pets.

Site Closure
The City anticipates fully closing the Washington Boulevard underpass in late January. The site will be cleared of all debris and property, and all individuals will need to vacate the site. Individuals will be able to contact the City to recover any personal belongings that are collected. Signage and fencing will be installed to help discourage future access, and the area will be monitored. The City recognizes that this closure may be challenging for those currently residing at the site and remains dedicated to providing support throughout the process.

For more information, including resources for relocation assistance, visit the City's Relocation Efforts webpage.