Mayor Lee Secures $500K for Community Violence Intervention
Published on July 07, 2026
OAKLAND, CA – Building on a historic 52% reduction in homicides and significant decreases in nonfatal shootings over the past two years, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee today announced a new $500,000 philanthropic investment that will launch an innovative community violence intervention strategy focused on creating housing safety and stability for individuals at the highest risk of gun violence.
Funded by the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, the initiative is a critical component of the Mayor’s comprehensive, holistic approach to public safety. Led by the Mayor's Office, the City of Oakland’s Department of Violence Prevention (DVP) and Housing and Community Development (HCD) Department will collaborate with the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (NICJR), a national leader in the field of community violence intervention, and the New York Courts Center for Justice Innovation to design and facilitate a pilot program focused on individuals living at the intersections of criminal justice involvement, violence, and housing instability.
"Individuals who are most impacted by the justice system and at-risk of gun violence deserve specific investment -- and we know that safe and stable housing is critical to stabilizing their lives," said Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee. "Oakland is proving that safety can be achieved by focusing resources on people most vulnerable to violence. This contribution from the Silicon Valley Community Foundation will take our work to the next level alongside NICJR, a national leader in intervention work with deeply embedded relationships across our city."
How the $500,000 Investment Will Be Utilized
This new investment in Oakland will fund:
-
Flexible Housing Supports: Relocation support, rent arrears relief, and emergency funding to address imminent safety, housing justice, and stabilization needs.
"After two and a half years of continued declines in violence in Oakland, this strategy is an example of Mayor Lee’s commitment to further reductions through a comprehensive, holistic approach to public safety and recognition of the importance of community violence intervention," said David Muhammad, Executive Director of NICJR. "One of NICJR’s primary missions is to work closely with city leaders to support cutting edge approaches that support individuals at the highest risk of violence. As a key partner in Oakland’s successful focused deterrence strategy, I look forward to carrying these goals and outcomes forward."
Origins and Strategic Development of the Pilot
The strategy for this pilot emerged after Oakland was selected as one of only eight communities nationwide to join the Housing Justice Peer Network hosted by New York University Furman Center’s Housing Solutions Lab and New York Courts Center for Justice Innovation. Over 16 months, City of Oakland HCD Director Emily Weinstein and DVP Chief Holly Joshi collaborated with peers and national experts to explore the intersections between housing safety, stability, and the experiences of criminal justice system-involved individuals. That exploratory work led to the concrete plans behind this initiative.
“Access to safe, stable, affordable housing is a requirement for people to thrive,” said Director Weinstein. “From our experience with programs such as Keep People Housed, we know that using data to focus resources on those most at risk of falling into homelessness works. We are excited to hone this approach and support the well-being of DVP’s clients.”
"Utilizing a focused, research-based approach to community violence, we have made significant strides in reducing homicides and shootings in Oakland over the past two years. The Department of Violence Prevention believes that most individuals caught in cycles of violence and incarceration want a way out, and we are committed to supporting Oakland’s highest risk individuals to create pathways to health, safety, and stability," said Chief Joshi. "This $500,000 investment into housing solutions provides direct supports to Oakland’s most vulnerable. We are grateful to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation for their dedication to innovative solutions, thankful to the Mayor’s Office for their commitment to a comprehensive approach, and excited to continue our work with HCD and NICJR to deepen impact."
By breaking down institutional silos and creating space for innovation, this cross-sector approach strengthens Ceasefire-Lifeline, the City's renewed focused deterrence strategy supported by Mayor Lee to deliver lasting safety and systemic change.
###