The ongoing challenge of addressing increasing homelessness is one that we take seriously. People experiencing homelessness are surviving anywhere and any way they can, which often means they are finding refuge on Brentwood city streets and neighborhoods.

Being homeless is not a crime; the city has taken a strategic and collaborative approach to address the growing unsheltered population concerns. Coordinated efforts with the City’s Police Department, Community Enrichment team, Public Works Department and our regional partnership with Contra Costa County C.O.R.E. team (Coordinated Outreach Referral & Engagement), and 211.org can assist individuals in finding a more permanent solution to their homeless situation.

The Police Department responds and continues to monitor incidents while respecting the unsheltered individuals' rights and ensuring public safety. We encourage you to report any non-emergency illegal activity that is taking place by calling the Police Department’s non-emergency number at (925) 809-7911.

Process for removing encampments:

• A complaint is received by the City’s homeless liaison
• Homeless liaison offers resources to the unsheltered individuals
• Homeless liaison evaluates location and resources needed to clean the area
• 48- hour vacate notice is posted, allowing the unsheltered individuals to collect their belongings and relocate
• Cleaning crew is scheduled and assigned an area
• Area is cleaned, and remaining “property” is then stored for 90 days to be collected by the owner before discarded consistent with the law

In Martin v. City of Boise, the Ninth Circuit Court ruled that anti-camping laws violate the U.S. Constitution when no shelter is available in the jurisdiction, as enforcing such laws would constitute cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment. However, the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Johnson v. City of Grants Pass overturned this precedent, ruling that cities can enforce ordinances prohibiting sleeping or camping on public property, even when no alternative shelter is available. This decision grants local government’s greater authority to issue citations and make arrests for public camping, regardless of shelter availability, reversing the limitations imposed by Martin v. Boise.  The case law decision establishes that camping on public or private property without permission is unlawful and constitutes a violation of California Penal Code section 647(e) and/or Brentwood Municipal Code section 7.02.150. 

Some areas do not fall within the City's jurisdiction and must be reported to other state and local municipalities. Brentwood includes parcels belonging to nearly a dozen public agencies.

Often times after a clean-up/removal is completed, individuals may return to the same or adjacent location. At which time the removal process starts again consistent with the law.

Each year, Contra Costa County participates in the federally mandated Point In Time Count, which aims to provide a snapshot of the number of individuals experiencing homelessness on a given night in January. This count uses specific federal methodologies to capture unsheltered populations, offering insights into where and how people without housing are living. In addition to this technical count, the Brentwood Police Department often maintains a “practical” count, based on community observations of individuals experiencing homelessness in the area. Both perspectives offer valuable insight into the presence and needs of the unhoused population in Brentwood.

For the most current statistics for Contra Costa County, please refer to the link below:
https://www.cchealth.org/services-and-programs/homeless-services/data

If you have additional questions, please contact our Homeless Liaison,  Senior CSO Stanley at rstanley@brentwoodca.gov.

Losing Your Housing?

Call 211 or Text "HOPE" to 20121
Free confidential service available 24/7
Callers will be matched and referred to appropriate county programs.
Contra Costa "Get Help" Website

Unsheltered Resources

Additionally, we've provided contact numbers for common unsheltered issues:

• Abandoned Vehicles (on City streets): (925) 809-7827
• Contra Costa Animal Services (Animal Shelter): (925) 608-8400
• Community Enrichment (Code Enforcement): (925) 516-5405
• Graffiti Abatement: (925) 516-6000
• Parks Maintenance: (925) 516-5444
• Public Works: (925) 516-6000

Ordinances

To read the Brentwood Municipal Code(s) applicable to some of the recent topics of interest, click the link(s) below:

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