Alpha Project for the Homeless
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Alpha Project for the Homeless (Alpha Project) was organized in February 1987 under the Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law for public and charitable purposes. The mission of Alpha Project is to empower individuals, families, and communities by providing work, recovery and support services to people who are motivated to change their lives and achieve self-sufficiency. Alpha Projects many programs are available to all persons in need regardless of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.Alpha Project strives not to manage homelessness, but rather to end it for its clients. The agencys programs do not aim at making homelessness easier, or less costly, or more tolerable. Alpha Project breaks the cycle of homelessness and provides an alternate direction for its clients out of hopelessness and despair, and into a life of responsibility and dignity.Each program offered by the Alpha Project focuses on assisting participants to attain their
- Income
- $41.6 million
- Spending
- $40.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 95%
- Reserves
- 8.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 78%
- Employees
- 496
- Highest pay
- $346,692, ceo & president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 88 out of 100.
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 12% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1595% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 92 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 254 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (6)
- $19.2 million spent. Shelter Programs and ServicesTemporary Bridge Shelters:Alpha Project operates two Temporary Bridge Shelters for single adults in downtown San Diego on behalf of the City of San Diego. Bridge Shelter #1 is located at the corner of 16th Street and Newton Avenue. Bridge Shelter #2 is located at 1710 Imperial Avenue. The programs utilize tools designed to effectively serve the target population in a welcoming and solutions-focused environment. Clients at the sprung structures receive emergency housing including restrooms, showers, laundry, meals, and supplies. An array of services are offered through Alpha Project and partners including medical and behavioral health services. Cortez Hill Family Center - Interim Housing Program:Operated on behalf of the City of San Diego, Cortez Hill Family Center Interim Housing Program offers emergency housing for homeless families with children. The program provides safe housing, meals, access to education, medical, and other wrap-around services for families with children to thrive and prepare for longer-term or permanent housing, as well as successfully promote self-sufficiency, wellness, and recovery.
- $7.4 million spent. Permanent Housing Programs & ServicesRapid Re-Housing:The Rapid Re-Housing Program provides housing navigation and location, case management, and financial assistance to permanently house individuals and families. The program provides application, security deposit, and short-term or medium-term rental assistance, as well as assists in securing needed furniture and supplies. The program also assists clients to access support services and resources including medical, behavioral health, legal, work training, and employment.Home Finder & Tenant Peer Support Services (TPSS):Home Finder and Tenant Peer Support Services (TPSS) programs serve clients who are 1) ages 18 years or older, 2) homeless, 3) experience serious mental illness, and 4) connected to designated County of San Diego Behavioral Health Services (BHS) outpatient clinics. Staff meets with clients at designated clinics where they start the housing process to include needs assessment, housing location, housing navigation, and supportive services. Staff also coordinates, brokers, and schedules appropriate client services with external medical, dental, and housing opportunities to meet client needs. Homeless Prevention and Case Management:Alpha Project operates two prevention programs including the Homeless Prevention and Diversion Services program which provides single episodes of assistance with short-term case management. The Housing Navigation and Case Management Services for the Homeless program offers longer-term prevention support through ongoing case management and referrals to supportive services.
- $6.7 million spent. Rehabilitation Program ServicesCasa Raphael Residential Substance Use Disorder Program:Casa Raphael, located at 993 and 975 Postal Way in Vista, CA is a state-licensed and certified residential treatment program for men in recovery from substance abuse. The program provides housing, food, recovery workshops, case management, mental health counseling, access to healthcare, work, financial assistance, and other support services. The program offers an intensive 12-week environment in which residents participate in an evidence-based practice curriculum.
- $3.1 million spent. Permanent Supportive Housing AssistanceAlpha Square:Alpha Square, welcoming residents since 2015, is located at 550 14th Street in Downtown San Diego and incorporates 203 units, including two management units, along with onsite laundry, computer lab, food pantry, commercial kitchen, community rooms, and rooftop terrace. Alpha Square provides supportive, affordable, and sustainable housing with access to on-site support services to address needs such as mental health counseling, addiction counseling, enrolling in benefits, financial support, and access to long-term treatment and other services. Alpha Lofts:Launched in 2019, Alpha Lofts located at 3808 El Cajon Blvd. in Normal Heights is a supportive affordable housing complex for homeless veterans in San Diego. Alpha Project staff provides essential support services for the residents of Alpha Lofts, which offers 53 units including one managers unit, as well as an onsite food pantry, computer lab, laundry room, and terrace. The program also connects residents to medical, behavioral health, and other necessary services.
- $2.2 million spent. Work ProgramsSpecial Projects:Special Projects provides meaningful work and training opportunities to eligible clients able to work. Throughout the year, Alpha Project contracts directly with various public departments and private entities to provide weed and brush abatement services, and other community benefit projects, to neighborhoods and rural areas throughout San Diego County.Wheels of Change:Wheels of Change offers work opportunities, paying minimum wage, to individuals residing at Alpha Projects Temporary Bridge Shelter programs. Wheels of Change empowers shelter residents, builds self-esteem, and provides meaningful work experience while giving back to the community
- $137,971 spent. Other ProgramsFood Services Program:Alpha Projects commercial kitchen at Alpha Square is instrumental in the delivery of food services to the agencys many programs including the preparation of over 200,000 hot meals annually to shelter residents. The program also helps stock the agencys three food pantries at Alpha Square, Alpha Lofts, and Luther Tower, as well as prepares food kits for clients moving into housing of their own and emergency food kits as needed for seniors, disabled, and chronically ill clients.Homeless Outreach:At the core of all of Alpha Projects facilities and services is a program of Homeless Outreach, designed not only to assist those in need in accessing needed services but also to assist the surrounding neighborhood in addressing homeless-related issues. Operating in the City of San Diego, City of Vista, Chula Vista City, National City, and the Port of San Diego, outreach workers are trained in crisis response and de-escalation, with access to food, transportation and a wealth of referral sources to help individuals and families still homeless connect with housing and other sources of support.Case Management at Luther Tower:Luther Tower offers 200 units of affordable housing to seniors. Alpha Projects Case Management services at Luther Tower offers residents with support accessing services and supplies including medical, behavioral health, food, as well as other wrap-arounds services. Hospice for the Homeless & Living with Dignity:In response to the homeless deaths that occur on the streets of San Diego, in 2007 Alpha Project launched Hospice for the Homeless and Living with Dignity to provide financial assistance to homeless people diagnosed with a terminal or chronic illness. Hospice for the Homeless caters to those diagnosed by a physician as having 6 months or less to live. While the clients chosen hospice provider delivers medical & nursing care, medications, social worker, and behavioral health and spiritual counseling, Alpha Project provides financial assistance including security deposit, rental assistance, furniture, food, and other supplies not covered by hospice. Living with Dignity provides one-time assistance to help seniors, those with physical disabilities or other debilitating illnesses with emergency or critical needs such as rental assistance, transportation, food, and mobility devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, walking sticks, etc.Alpha House:Alpha House is designed to provide sober living and transitional housing to those needing safe, clean, and affordable housing while transitioning back into the workforce through participation in Alpha Projects Special Projects work program.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 1994.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.