Behind the Numbers: Meeting the Health Needs of Fremont’s Unhoused Residents
For many in our community, stable housing and access to healthy food can mean the difference between surviving and thriving. During Hunger and Homelessness Prevention Week, Bay Area Community Health reaffirms our commitment to caring for the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.
Meeting People Where They Are
In January 2024, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reported that roughly 187,084 people in California were experiencing homelessness on a single night, accounting for about 28% of the nation’s total homeless population. At Bay Area Community Health, we recognize that access to healthcare should never depend on where you live or how much you earn.
Local data reinforces this urgent need. According to the City of Fremont’s 2024 Point-in-Time Count, 76% of people experiencing homelessness in Fremont were unsheltered, while only 24% were in shelter programs. Many slept in tents or makeshift shelters (62%), vehicles/RVs (20%), or directly on the street or sidewalk (8%).
Bay Area Community Health’s Street Medicine Program (HSM) brings healthcare directly to those living in these conditions across Alameda and Santa Clara Counties. Each team includes community health workers who build trust, provide wound care, connect patients to clinics, and help them access medical, dental, and mental health services.
“Our goal is to meet people where they are—literally. Health care doesn’t stop at clinic walls.”
Connecting Health and Housing
The Fremont PIT data also highlights the factors that lead many individuals to homelessness. The most common causes include housing loss (46%), job or income loss (28%), and health-related issues (17%). These reflect the interconnectedness of health, income stability, and access to affordable housing—reinforcing the importance of Bay Area Community Health’s holistic services.
Through our Enhanced Care Management (ECM) program, BACH helps individuals and families at risk of homelessness find stability through case management, housing resources, and emergency assistance. Many of those we serve have deep ties to the community: 68% of respondents in the Fremont count lived in Alameda County for 10 or more years before losing stable housing.
We also partner with programs such as HOWPA and Harm Reduction Services to ensure patients have access to safe housing, addiction support, and HIV/Hepatitis C prevention.
To learn more, contact:
info.streethealth@bach.health
info.ECM@bach.health
Here are Ways You Can Help
Share BACH resources with someone who needs them.
Support local shelters and food banks.
Donate to programs that help keep families healthy and housed.
“Every person deserves dignity, safety, and health. At Bay Area Community Health, we’re committed to making that a reality—one patient, one family, one community at a time.”