MEDIA CONTACT:
Caitlin McShane
caitlin@emccommunications.com
(415) 225-8855
San Francisco, May 5, 2025 – Right now, 600,000 Bay Area households, or 27% of all households, don’t earn enough to cover the basics each month: food, housing, childcare, transportation, and healthcare. Today, United Way Bay Area — one of the most respected and effective philanthropic organizations fighting poverty in the region — released its 211 Helpline Snapshot report, featuring data on the calls and texts the nonprofit’s 211 call center received from Bay Area residents reaching out for help from January through March, 2025.
According to the report, 12,366 calls or texts for help came in to 211 over the three month period. Nearly half (49%) of all calls/texts came from residents seeking housing support — more than doubling the percent of calls/texts seeking housing support during the same period seven years ago.
“More and more Bay Area neighbors are calling us, asking for help to find shelter or keep a roof over their heads every year, reflecting a persistent and growing housing crisis, ” said Clare Margason, United Way Bay Area’s 211 Helpline Director. “In the first quarter of 2018, 22% of calls were for help with housing. Now we see 49% of calls seeking help with this growing concern. Whatever we’re doing to address the problem of housing affordability, it clearly isn’t keeping up with the needs in our communities.”
United Way Bay Area’s 211 Helpline is a free, vital service, available in 150 languages that connects callers with health and human services throughout the Bay Area. Without any guaranteed public funding to operate this essential infrastructure serving the community, United Way Bay Area’s 211 Helpline is funded primarily by private donations.
United Way Bay Area’s complete 211 dashboard is available online.
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To speak with United Way Bay Area 211 Helpline Director Clare Margason, contact Caitlin McShane at caitlin@emccommunications.com or (415) 225-8855.
About United Way Bay Area
United Way Bay Area (UWBA) mobilizes the Bay Area to assist people living in poverty and to dismantle the root causes of poverty. One of the most respected and highly effective philanthropic organizations fighting poverty, UWBA supports workers and students seeking employment and better careers, helps families struggling to meet basic needs, supports our neighbors toward achieving their financial stability goals, and advocates for housing justice for all Bay Area residents. Learn more at uwba.org.
About United Ways of California
United Ways of California mobilizes the caring power of communities to improve health, education, and financial outcomes for low-income children and families. In partnership with local United Ways, United Ways of California implements community impact programs and advocates for policies that expand opportunities for Californians, working toward an equitable state where every individual has the resources needed to thrive. Learn more at unitedwaysca.org.
