Resources and Services

2-1-1 Alameda County is a free, non-emergency, confidential, 3-digit phone number and service that provides access to housing information, and critical health and human services, operated by Eden I&R.  2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with multi-lingual capabilities. Simply dial 2-1-1. You can also text 898211 Monday through Friday between 9am and 4pm for assistance. To use the online resource directory, visit http://edenir.org/2-1-1-alameda-county

• Alameda County Housing Portal. Learn how you can find and apply for high-quality, affordable rental housing opportunities throughout Alameda County.  Visit https://housing.acgov.org
• Housing Choices Alameda County is an online resource maintained by Eden I&R where users can search for affordable housing in Alameda County. The listings include properties managed by government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private developers or landlords. The website also provides information on open waitlists and application deadlines for affordable housing opportunities, and links to other housing search, advocacy, and rental assistance resources. Visit https://achousingchoices.org

Eligible families can receive advance payments of up to $300 per month for each child under age 6 and up to $250 per month for each child age 6 and above.  Payments begin July 15 and will be sent monthly through December 15 without any further action required.  Click here for more information.

Museums for All is a program that provides free or discounted admission to museums for SNAP (CalFresh) / Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) recipients. The network includes several museums in the Bay Area. Visitors do not need to register, and only need to show their EBT card and photo ID at a participating museum. Click here for more information for visitors. To search for participating museums, visit https://museums4all.org  The Oakland Museum of California offers individuals and families (up to four individuals) admission, including to special exhibitions, to the Museum for $1 when they present an EBT card and a valid form of photo ID.

California residents who 1) meet income requirements for selected governmental or non-profit assistance programs, or 2) are homeless, or 3) are at least 62 years old may be eligible to apply for reduced fee, no-fee, and/or senior ID cards through the California Department of Motor Vehicles:

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/identification-id-cards/

The Clipper START program is designed to make public transportation more affordable for low-income residents in the San Francisco Bay Area.  BART, AC Transit, Union City Transit, County Connection, Wheels, and Caltrain offer a 20% discount and Golden Gate Transit and Ferry offer a 50% discount to eligible participants.

 Adults age 19-64 who have an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card or Medi-Cal ID card are potentially eligible for the Clipper START program.  To learn more and apply, visit: Clipper START.

Express Lanes START is an 18-month trial program that offers qualified low-income drivers at least a 50% discount on tolls in the I-880 Express Lanes between Oakland and Milpitas.

Click here for more information.

The Golden Bear Pass allows you to visit California State Parks without paying a fee to enter with a passenger vehicle. The $5 application fee for the Golden Bear Pass has been waived for 2022. The Pass is available to any qualifying person receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or CalWORKs, any person, blind, or disabled, and anyone 62 years of age or older with income limitations. The Golden Bear Pass is good for one calendar year. 

To learn more about getting a Golden Gate Pass and to download the application, visit Golden Bear Pass.