Unhoused Outreach Support

A care and services-first approach

Situated in an urban environment, UC-Berkeley–like the City of Berkeley and our neighboring cities–is significantly impacted by high housing costs and associated homelessness.  In embracing this reality, we have partnered with the city to similarly bring a care and services-first approach to supporting our unhoused neighbors sleeping on and adjacent to campus. 

Since July 2017, the campus has employed a full time social worker, Ari Neulight, whose work includes supporting unhoused (non-affiliate) community members who are on/adjacent to campus property and bringing students and the campus community into a more active role to help address homelessness and support our unhoused neighbors in Berkeley (and beyond).

This web page is dedicated to this work, including how to get help, what work has been done, other community resources that are available, and what else you can do.

How to get help if you see an unhoused individual on campus who needs assistance:

You have options:

  • Contact campus support partners by calling the UC Police Department (UCPD) non-emergency phone line at: (510) 642-6760. UCPD is always available as a point of contact and depending on the situation, they will help to triage with other support partners, like Facilities Services, as well as Unhoused Outreach Coordinator, Ari Neulight.
  • Contact Ari Neulight directly - - see the contact details to the right.
  • Enlist assistance from the City of Berkeley's Specialized Care Unit (SCU). If you or someone you know is undergoing a mental-health or substance-use related crisis and needs assistance, call (510) 948-0075 to reach the SCU. They are available 7 days a week during specialized hours and available to provide non-police support to all Berkeley community members. If it is a life-threatening emergency, call 911.

Other Berkeley resources for our unhoused neighbors:

The work we have been doing:

Additional ways you can help

Ari Neulight, Unhoused Outreach Coordinator

Mobile phone: (510) 365-4394

Email: asneulight@berkeley.edu

Go here to read more about Ari.

Picture of Ari Neulight
Picture of Ari Neulight list of other support available
Picture of Ari Neulight map of other support available

The above flyer can be downloaded if you'd like to make a hard copy.

Berkeley's Supportal site

A single-entry point for all UC Berkeley community members to find support for themselves or others about a variety of concerns.