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Chapter 1: Introduction and Plan Development INTRODUCTION TO THE CONTINUUM OF CARE For the past two decades, cities in Alameda County, its non-profits, faith-based institutions, businesses and other concerned community members have responded to the needs of homeless youth, families and single adults. This response includes food, clothing, transportation, shelter, housing, employment related services and many other health related services. While this effort, funded by multiple sources, public and private, has been valiant and successful in meeting some needs of individual clients, it falls far short in comparison to the overall need. Background Prior to the emergence of wide-spread homelessness in the 1980s, most services for low- income people were divided among a number of agencies and delivered over time. For homeless people the need for services of all types is more immediate. The fragmentation of the mainstream delivery system and the lack of coordination between agencies made it virtually impossible for existing agencies to meet the needs of the newly homeless. As a result, agencies that specifically served the homeless population were established. The emerging homeless delivery system was also fragmented. Over the years the homeless service "system" expanded. Federal, State and local dollars became available to serve the homeless, with each funding stream carrying different requirements. At the federal level alone there were more than 20 programs to provide homeless housing and services, overseen by six different agencies. Fragmented funding and lack of coordination at the local government level led to a system of largely unconnected services and agencies trying to meet a host of needs for their client populations. In Alameda County, however, there has always been a strong interest among many providers in working together. Despite continued fragmentation at the funding and oversight levels, agencies and service providers have collaborated around funding applications and service delivery in an effort to eliminate overlaps, fill gaps and strengthen the service system. Over the years, many strong partnerships have emerged. Many of these have been formed through the financing made available through Federal McKinney Homeless Programs, matched by the County and its cities, foundations, corporations and local businesses and the generosity of the residents of Alameda County. Alameda County-Wide Homeless Continuum of Care Plan: April 1997