Across Alameda County, small housing providers and renters alike are navigating the challenges of rising costs, legal complexity, and long-term housing uncertainty. At the Alameda County Housing Provider Resource Center (ACHPRC), we know that sustainable housing solutions don’t come from one side alone—they come from collaboration. That’s why we’re proud to highlight the work of one of our key partners, A-1 Community Housing Services (A-1CHS), whose commitment to housing education and stabilization has transformed thousands of lives.

Founded as a HUD-approved nonprofit, A-1CHS delivers a broad range of housing counseling and financial education programs to low- and moderate-income individuals across the East Bay. While ACHPRC supports rental property owners in unincorporated areas of Alameda County, A-1CHS brings essential resources to tenants and homeowners, helping them secure, maintain, and understand the housing they rely on.

A-1CHS is perhaps best known for its homeownership counseling and financial literacy programs, but its impact runs much deeper. In recent years, the organization has expanded its rental counseling services—providing critical support to tenants facing eviction, dealing with financial hardship, or simply trying to understand their rights. For many renters who are unsure where to turn, A-1CHS becomes a lifeline. Their trained counselors offer guidance on budgeting, landlord-tenant issues, fair housing protections, and long-term housing goals.

ACHPRC and A-1CHS share a common goal: to build more informed, stable rental communities. That means educating both sides of the housing relationship—property owners and tenants. For example, ACHPRC provides housing providers with clear guidance on compliance, lease best practices, and mediation options. When a landlord contacts ACHPRC about a tenant issue that might benefit from third-party support, we often refer them directly to A-1CHS, knowing their team is equipped to help tenants understand and resolve the situation constructively.

This partnership is especially important in unincorporated areas of Alameda County, where access to legal aid and housing counseling is more limited. ACHPRC is working to close that gap by connecting landlords with supportive services, and by helping tenants get the help they need before issues escalate. Through joint outreach, resource-sharing, and event collaboration, our organizations are creating a more coordinated housing support system.

The results speak for themselves. Since 2016, A-1CHS has served more than 5,700 households through its combination of pre-purchase counseling, foreclosure prevention, rental assistance, and financial education programs. Its counselors work closely with Alameda County programs, including those funded through Measure A1, to ensure that struggling homeowners and renters receive timely, meaningful assistance.

We’re proud to work alongside A-1 Community Housing Services to ensure that both rental property owners and their tenants have the resources they need to stay housed, informed, and empowered. In a housing landscape often defined by conflict or confusion, partnerships like this show what’s possible when the focus shifts to education, equity, and long-term stability.

To learn more about A-1CHS and their current programs, visit www.a1chs.org.

Together, we’re building stronger housing from the ground up.