With $3M In State Funds, Fremont To Make Winter Shelter Program Year-Round

FREMONT, CA — With $3 million in newly awarded state funding, Fremont officials will expand its Winter Relief program into a year-long shelter.

The Winter Relief Program provides temporary emergency shelter in motel rooms during the winter months. Housing, however, can be limited. Last year, only 40 rooms were available across two motels. It's unclear how many will be available this year.

The program opens in the fall and runs slightly into the spring. But new one-time funding made possible by "legislative advocacy efforts" and support from local representatives will allow officials to operate the program year-round, officials said.

"The expansion of this program addresses a critical community need by creating additional shelter opportunities for some of Fremont's most vulnerable residents," Fremont city officials said. "While this expansion represents a significant step forward, it is not the finish line."

Fremont saw a 5.58% increase in unhoused homelessness over the past two years. Volunteers recorded 852 people living on city streets this year, compared to 807 in 2024.

With the rainy season approaching, city officials say they need to help those people transition "to safer, more stable shelter options."

Expanded shelter resources will first be offered to people currently living at the Washington Boulevard underpass at Osgood Road in Irvington, city officials said.

"This site was prioritized due to its growing population, rising number of fire-related incidents, increased safety concerns, frequent calls for service, and continued incidents of property damage," city officials said.

The site will fully close in January and be cleared of all debris, officials said. Fencing and signs will be installed to prevent people from settling at the underpass again, officials said.