Alameda County Gender-Based Violence and Homelessness Coalition Planning Committee
Project: Readiness Assessment
About the Alameda County Gender-Based Violence and Homelessness Coalition Planning Committee:
The Alameda County Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Homelessness Coalition Planning Committee was formed in August 2024 to begin planning a formal coalition of gender-based violence and homelessness service providers. Their goal is to ensure that domestic violence is recognized as the leading cause of homelessness for women, and that it is understood as a core element of addressing homelessness. The work of the Coalition Planning Committee is funded by the Blue Shield of California Foundation.
Why the Alameda County GBV and Homelessness Coalition Planning Committee partnered with Lyons-Newman Consulting:
The Committee partnered with Lyons-Newman Consulting to conduct a readiness assessment. The goal was to assess known and existing conditions for effective coalition impact and identify gaps, needs, and opportunities related to the intersection of GBV and homelessness in Alameda County that shape the coalition’s ability to make lasting change.
The process:
In partnership with the Coalition Planning Committee, Lyons-Newman Consulting led a research and analysis process rooted in equity and centering voices of those with lived expertise. We also gathered insights from 20 constituents in the county, through interviews with Coalition Planning Committee members, government and nonprofit leaders, and community members. Together, that input and findings from secondary research helped us assess the strength of external circumstances and internal coalition qualities that lay the groundwork for an effective coalition.
We met with the Committee multiple times throughout the process to design the research process and also to collaboratively synthesize research findings and agree on recommendations for the Coalition’s work going forward.
The results:
The readiness assessment identified external trends and key findings, as well as optimal state, current state, gaps, and needs in each of the three focus areas to leverage community preparedness for coalition work.
Key themes identified in the assessment included:
Gender-based violence is a key driver of homelessness
Segmented funding streams have contributed to the fragmentation of services
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder must be addressed to reduce GBV and homelessness
Historical data systems barriers impede services
Coalition work offers benefits but also challenges to overcome
Four major recommendations surfaced that the Coalition Planning Committee will implement:
Engage policymakers, colleagues, and partners: Raise awareness of the intersecting issues of GBV and homelessness by engaging leaders, including populating meetings, policy gatherings, and networks.
Establish a streamlined coalition focused on strategy and communications coordination: Rather than invest in developing another entity, the coalition should serve a coordinating and communications function to support community leaders as they integrate GBV and homelessness into existing policy conversations.
Monitor gaps, opportunities, and policies: Advocate for monitoring gaps and opportunities related to the intersection of GBV and homelessness, including Measure W funding.
Advocate for policy improvements and resources: Advocate for the expanded capacity of homelessness services and other providers to address complex PTSD and GBV. Work to protect existing funding and also to secure resources for dedicated staffing for policy work and coalition coordination to support sustainable, integrated GBV services and homelessness prevention.
What the Alameda County GBV and Homelessness Coalition Planning Committee leaders say:
“The readiness assessment and recommendations are essential to propelling forward the Coalition’s impactful work — creating space for generative dialogue among providers, cross-movement collaborating on advocacy efforts, and centralizing survivor agency in solutions. The Lyons-Newman team was a critical and strategic partner in getting this work off the ground.”
— Tunisia Owens, policy and advocacy manager at Family Violence Law Center and Coalition steering committee member