Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency

BOSS provides comprehensive services that help homeless families and individuals move from homelessness to homes ~ with improved skills and knowledge of resources so they can stay healthy and housed.

First established in 1971 in response to the closure of mental health hospitals which put many mentally ill men and women onto the streets, today BOSS serves over 1,500 homeless families and individuals with multiple barriers to self-sufficiency. We do our work through a network of housing and service programs in Berkeley, Oakland, and Hayward. The organization is led by a community board of directors, and managed by an executive director and team of excellent managers -- each bringing expertise in the four strategies of housing, health, economic development, and social justice A trained unionized workforce is at the core of all work in BOSS, and many volunteers and community partnerships enhance the response to end homelessness that BOSS is well known for.