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Chapter 3: Homeless Population and Current Service Capacity A list of all transitional housing beds/units in the County can be found at the end of this Chapter. Permanent Supportive Housing While self-sufficiency is the ultimate goal of the Continuum of Care, those with serious disabilities (often the most "visible" homeless) may require long-term support services linked to permanent housing if they are to avoid a repeat of homelessness. The Alameda County and Berkeley Shelter Plus Care programs are the primary providers of such "permanent supportive housing," with long-term rental assistance and services for chronically homeless people with mental illness, alcohol or other drug problems, and/or HIV/AIDS. The Alameda County Shelter Plus Care Program includes dedicated units throughout the County in independent and supported housing environments, including 56 units of SRO housing at the Harrison Apartments, where an on-site services team delivers support to all of the residents who wish it. Shelter Plus Care participants work with a service coordinator to develop individualized service plans. Services are provided by numerous agencies working collaboratively in a multidisciplinary approach. A new joint Alameda County/Berkeley Shelter Plus Care Component for homeless persons living with AIDS will be started in early 1997. At full capacity, the County and Berkeley and joint programs will serve at least 564 homeless households, including 165 in Berkeley and 399 scattered around the rest of the county. Besides Shelter Plus Care there are a few other programs with units dedicated for homeless people with disabilities or special needs. There are a limited number of permanent units dedicated for people with HIV/AIDS in Alameda County. These include about 9 rooms in shared living facilities and roughly 55 independent units. None of these are located outside of Oakland. An additional 66 units are projected to become available in the next two years, including the first non Oakland units: 8 in Unincorporated Mid County, 6 in Berkeley, 6 in Emeryville, and 20 at the converted Alameda Naval Air Station. Also included are the first dedicated units for families with HIV/AIDS and unaccompanied youth. These units are accompanied with varying levels of supportive services. Bay Area Community Services has 14 units of low-income housing for people with developmental disabilities. Permanent. Subsidized Housing In addition to housing specifically dedicated to homeless or disabled populations, there are other resources available to very low-income individuals and families generally. These include the federally subsidized Section 8 rental assistance program, public housing, and non-profit owned housing. Homeless people must compete for these broader resources with low- and very low-income people who are currently housed. Alameda County-Wide Homeless Continuum of Care Plan: April 1997 33