Human Services

The Oakland Human Services Department exists to make our city a place that works for all. We offer free programs and provide public resources to community organizations that make sure all of our residents can access what they need to be safe, healthy and realize their full potential.

Get Updates from Human Services!

Featured Resources

Key resources from the Human Services Department.

Apply to Head Start Oakland Fund for Children and Youth (OFCY) Strategic Planning 2022-2025 Oakland's Summer Food Service Program Food Distribution in Oakland Oakland Community Stressors Index Learn About the City's Homelessness Strategy

News

Press Conference Speakers
Jun 10, 2021

Lake Merritt Lodge at Full Capacity 92 units of housing for formerly unsheltered residents

Yesterday, Oakland City officials, community leaders, and community members came together to highlight the occupancy status of the Lake Merritt Lodge. The City established Lake Merritt Lodge as a site for emergency COVID-19 response housing, intended to keep our most vulnerable homeless community members safe. The 92-unit building is now at full occupancy.

Photo of Food Service
Jun 07, 2021

Oakland Opens Annual Summer Food Program

Approximately 20,000 children in the Oakland community depend on free and reduced-cost school meals during the school year. However, most families struggle to replace those meals for their children during the summer months. The City’s Summer Food Service Program bridges the meal gap by providing access to nutritious meals at convenient locations throughout Oakland while school is out of session.

Related News »

Programs & Services

Child and Youth Services Community Homelessness Services Funding Opportunities through Human Services Department Paratransit Services Aging & Adult Services Supportive Financial Services

Spotlight: Oakland’s Community Cabin Program

Photo of Oakland Community Cabins

Oakland’s Community Cabin Program is a network of temporary transitional shelters at six sites across the city, designed to help stabilize unhoused people and assist in the finding of permanent housing. Launched in late 2017, the Community Cabins are part of a multi-prong strategy in the city to house people. Beyond cabins, the City of Oakland has opened three safe RV parking sites and a trailer site for 67 state-owned trailers. For more on the Community Cabin program and the partnerships behind it, visit the website here.

Click Here for a Video About Oakland's Community Cabin Program

Boards & Commissions

Related Pages

Events Meetings News Services Resources Topics Projects Documents

Leadership

Portrait of Sara Bedford

Sara Bedford

Director, Department of Human Services

Sara Bedford provides Oakland’s most vulnerable residents with services from Head Start to senior centers to supportive housing for the homeless. She was formerly the Policy and Planning Manager for the Department of Human Services.

Contact Us

Address

Human Services Department

Phone Numbers

Social Media