The Alameda Alliance for Health (AAH) awarded Alameda Point Collaborative (APC) $4 million in funding for the development of the medical respite center at the future Alameda Wellness Campus. The AAH announced its Board of Directors approved the allocation to APC on March 15.

The medical respite center will offer short-term recuperative care and on-site health services for unhoused Alameda County residents 18 years and older who have complex medical conditions or need hospice care.

“This innovative model of integrated care for homeless individuals will serve some of the most vulnerable populations in our local community,” said Doug Biggs, Alameda Point Collaborative Executive Director. “As we move forward with breaking ground on this much needed project, I am grateful for the invaluable partnership with and contribution from Alameda Alliance for Health which demonstrates our collective commitment to addressing issues that impact our unhoused community.”

APC has received several monetary contributions for its respite center. Along with AAH’s $4 million investment, APC received $8 million in matching funds from the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency, according to a press release from AAH. APC was also awarded $15 million from the California Department of Social Services as part of its California Community Care Expansion (CCE) Program grant in 2022 (“Alameda Point Collaborative Awarded Grant Funding for Respite Center,” Sept. 1, 2022). APC also received a $15 million grant from the State of California for the campus (“McKay Avenue Wellness Center Receives $15 Million From State of California,” July 29, 2021), $250,000 from Anthem, $690,000 from Alameda County for predevelopment efforts, a $5 million fund from Kaiser and more (“Council Decides on New Wellness Center,” Jan. 10, 2019). So far, APC has raised over 90 percent of the funds needed to develop the respite center.

The 50-bed high acuity medical respite program will serve 400 unhoused Alameda County residents annually, according to its website. This recuperative care will support clients to resolve acute medical conditions, stabilize chronic conditions and receive dignified end-of-life care.

The Wellness Campus is a joint venture among APC, Lifelong Medical Center — a local federally qualified clinic — and Mercy Housing. The campus will also consist of a 100-unit permanent supportive housing complex, health care center and a resource center that will provide homelessness prevention services, case management, and housing placement assistance.

According to the Alameda County 2022 Homeless Point-In-Time count, nearly 10,000 individuals were found to be unhoused, a 22 percent increase from 2019. This growth in homelessness, a significant portion within the older adult population, has accelerated disease progression and led to premature death for many older residents.

“Studies have shown that older homeless adults have higher rates of geriatric syndromes and complex health care needs when compared to the general population,” said Scott Coffin, AAH CEO. “This project will provide a haven where older Alameda County residents can have access to a safe place to rest, nutritious food and ultimately lead to healthier outcomes for our entire community.”

AAH is a local, public, not-for-profit managed care health plan committed to making high quality health care services accessible and affordable to Alameda County residents. The organization is located at 1240 South Loop Road.

The Alameda Wellness Campus will be located at 1245 McKay Ave., at the site of the former U.S. Maritime Service Officers School. The campus has been in development since 2017, when the Federal government agreed to transfer the property to APC.