Season of Sharing

Unexpected setbacks can cause “normal life” to be turned upside down resulting in poverty and homelessness for individuals, families, and children. SOS is committed to providing assistance during these circumstances to help get families and individuals back on their feet.

The primary categories of assistance considered under the Alameda County Season of Sharing Program are:

Housing Assistance (HA)

• Security deposit for permanent housing
• Delinquent rent or mortgage

Critical Family Needs (CFN)

• Utilities (electricity, gas, or water) under threat of shut-off or already shut off at current residence
• Limited furniture items under specific circumstances including fire/catastrophe, extended homelessness, and domestic violence
• Limited medical equipment and mobility aids (deemed medically necessary and not otherwise covered by insurance)

The program considers eligible households who are 1) experiencing a non-recurring housing crisis that can be resolved through one-time assistance and 2) have exhausted all available financial resources (family assistance, savings, etc.)

CRITERIA
Applicants must be current Alameda County residents (minimum 6 continuous months) in one of the following categories:

• Families with dependent children (age 18 and under) living in the home
• Permanently disabled individuals (18 years & older and receiving SSDI/SSI or medically verified)
• Older individuals, age 55 and older
• Former foster youth, ages 18-24
• Veterans
• Survivors of intimate partner violence and violent crimes (occurrence within the past 6 months)
• Pregnant individuals in their 2nd trimester or later

Documentation will be required to confirm each household's eligibility status. Simply meeting these criteria DOES NOT entitle or guarantee a household assistance. Assistance is based on merit and the greatest need of applicants.

Additional Information

• Assistance may be received only once every 5 years. Applicants are screened for prior funding.
• The program operates year-round. Eligible applicants can apply any time during the year.
• SOS is crisis-based and not an entitlement program. Funding is not guaranteed.
• Requests for assistance must be supported by a valid and documented housing crisis.
• Proof of all income and ability to meet monthly financial obligations on an ongoing basis is required. Priority is given to low-income households.

To initiate an inquiry, call the automated pre-screening line at (510) 272-3700. You will be asked to answer a series of questions using the keypad on your phone.

Be prepared to provide basic information, including:

• phone number(s),
• type and amount of assistance requested, and
• sources of household income.

If a potential applicant meets basic program criteria for consideration, Intake Staff will contact the applicant for an additional screening. Please be advised that response time will fluctuate depending on the volume of callers.

Participating in the phone screening does not guarantee or entitle anyone to SOS assistance. During the application process, applicants should not inform landlords, property owners, banks, mortgage lenders, or service providers of payment commitments of any sort. It is the applicant’s responsibility to present all relevant information and documentation. Any misrepresentation of circumstances, omission of financial information, or withholding of crucial information during this screening or intake processes will be basis for denial of the request of assistance and no additional SOS requests will be accepted in the future.

Call (510) 272-3700 to complete an automated pre-screening.

SOS application portal for Authorized Partners

Chronicle Season of Sharing Fund Executive Director Zev Lowe and Alameda County SOS Coordinator Sylvia Soublet discuss the impact of the program on local residents.