Homelessness funding and Measure W
Measure W, the county half-cent sales tax, is a major driver of budget growth and is dedicated to homelessness solutions and social safety-net services, with revenues reportedly above projections. At the same time federal proposals would reduce homeless assistance grants and restructure Continuum of Care and Emergency Solutions Grant programs, creating pressure on local homelessness response.
What should Alameda County do about funding homelessness programs as federal grants shrink and Measure W revenue grows?
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Sources
County Administrator Susan Muranishi — https://localnewsmatters.org/2026/05/30/alameda-county-budget-plan-closes-91-4m-spending-gap-without-layoffs-service-cuts
driven largely by Measure W, a 0.5% countywide sales tax passed by voters in 2020 to raise an estimated $150 million to $170 million annually for homelessness solutions and social safety net services.
Alameda County Budget Workgroup / County Administrator’s Office — https://budget.alamedacountyca.gov/Content/pdf/FY26-27/4.22.26%20BWG%20Final.pdf
Reduces homeless assistance grant funding and restructures the Continuum of Care and Emergency Solutions Grant programs
East Bay Insiders / county finance officials — https://eastbayinsiders.substack.com/p/alameda-county-identifies-55m-in
One bright spot for county officials is that revenue from Measure W, the county’s half-cent sales tax approved by voters in 2020, but not available until last year, are reportedly coming in above budget projections. Measure W funds, however, are not included in the upcoming budget.
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
- Greatly expand housing-first and supportive services using all available Measure W and county funds
- Protect and stabilize existing homelessness programs with Measure W while replacing lost federal grants
- Balance Measure W spending between homelessness services, prevention, and other safety-net needs
- Limit new homelessness spending, prioritize enforcement and temporary shelter over permanent housing outlays
- Reduce county homelessness program budgets and shift responsibility away from local tax-funded services