According to Need: Prologue

The housing crisis in Oakland, California, has created a pervasive reality of homelessness, where long-term residents are increasingly displaced by skyrocketing property values and rents. Data contradicts the persistent myth that homeless populations are transient outsiders; instead, the vast majority are local residents, including former homeowners and workers. Individuals navigate this instability through various survival strategies, from living in vehicles and boats to constructing makeshift shelters, all while facing constant threats of displacement and systemic barriers. The current homeless service system remains opaque and difficult to access, often failing to provide a clear path to stability for those in need. This investigation examines the complexities of this system, questioning how resources are prioritized and why, despite the scale of the crisis, effective solutions remain elusive for those living day-to-day.