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Chapter fi: Housing and Shelter From Chapter 3 of this plan, it is estimated that families make up between 30-49% of the homeless population. Forty-nine percent of the shelter beds in the county serve families. These beds are distributed across the county in roughly equivalent proportions to the estimated - homeless population, though there is a smaller ratio in North County and a higher ratio in South and East. From Chapter 3 of this Plan, it is estimated that 38-48% of the county's homeless population have alcohol or other drug problems and 22-42 % have moderate to severe mental health problems. In addition, there is a high percentage of these people who are dealing with both - alcohol/other drug problems and some form of mental illness (19-40% of total homeless). HIV infection is estimated at 15-25 % of the total homeless adult population. For women, domestic violence is a major cause of homelessness, affecting 22-60% of homeless women. _ Veterans make up approximately 34% of the homeless population (primarily male veterans). While many of the "general" or un-targeted shelter beds can and do serve portions of these subpopulations, in many cases people are more comfortable or more willing to get services from shelters that are targeting people with their specific needs. Many general shelters also _ find themselves unable to deal with the complex needs of some subpopulations, such as those dually diagnosed with both mental illness and alcohol or other drug problems, and those released from prison with no where to go. Targeted beds for people with one or more special _ needs or disabilities are in particularly short supply outside of Berkeley, Oakland and Hayward. Action Stens - In North County, priorities for new shelter beds include youth, mentally ill, - alcohol and other drugs, and dually diagnosed. - In Mid County, priorities for new shelter beds include youth, alcohol and other drugs, and dually diagnosed. - In South County, priorities for new shelter beds include small shelter/transitional housing projects} for families with children, mentally ill, alcohol/other drug, and dually diagnosed. - In East County, priorities for new shelter beds include small shelter/transitional housing project(s) for mentally ill, alcohol/other drug, and dually diagnosed. - All general purpose shelters should review their programs for how they can _ better serve people with HIV and veterans, with possible expansions to these target groups. - Increase the supply of emergency motel and hotel vouchers available in all communities. Make at least some available to persons released from prison for use while qualifying for shelter or rehab programs. _ - Advocate for a State winter armory shelter program. Alameda County-Wide Homeless Continuum of Care Plan: April 1997 80