Oakland Rules Committee Meets as City Launches 2026 Homeless Count

City Hall Convenes for Rules and Legislation Session

The Oakland City Council’s Rules and Legislation Committee is scheduled to meet today, Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. in the City Council Chamber at 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza. This weekly session is a critical component of Oakland’s legislative process, where council members and the City Clerk review upcoming agendas, schedule public hearings, and determine the procedural flow for the full City Council. Today’s meeting is expected to address the legislative calendar for the upcoming month and coordinate reports from various city departments intended for February’s general sessions.

Oakland Begins Bi-Annual Point in Time Homeless Count

Today marks the launch of the city’s 2026 Point in Time (PIT) Count, a massive volunteer-led effort to document the number of individuals experiencing homelessness in Oakland. The city has called for over 500 volunteers to participate in this comprehensive survey, which takes place every two years. The data collected today is essential for the city to secure federal and state funding for housing and support services. City officials emphasized that an accurate count is a primary tool for understanding the scale of the housing crisis and directing resources to the neighborhoods most in need. Participation from community members is being monitored throughout the day at various deployment sites across the city.

Mayor and Council Finalize Police Commission Appointments

Following a heated council session earlier this week, Mayor Barbara Lee and the City Council have confirmed new leadership for the Oakland Police Commission. While the council rejected the reappointment of two veteran commissioners, they voted unanimously to approve Mayor Lee’s newest nominees: retired judge Evelio Grillo and retired firefighter Doug Wong. These appointments come at a pivotal time for the city, as the Oakland Police Department continues its efforts to meet federal oversight requirements. Mayor Lee addressed the appointments at a press conference at City Hall yesterday, signaling a new chapter for the commission focused on transparency and departmental reform.

Reinstatement of Police Cadet Program

In addition to commission changes, city leaders have announced the formal reinstatement of the Oakland Police Department Cadet Program. The initiative, which was cut from previous budgets, is being revived through a partnership with Kaiser Permanente and PG&E. The program is designed to create a pipeline for local students to pursue careers in public safety, helping to address current officer shortages while fostering a police force that is more representative of the Oakland community. Training sessions and recruitment for the new cadet class are expected to begin immediately following today's administrative updates.