Union City

Union City is a city of 72,000 in southern Alameda County between Fremont and Hayward — a diverse, working-class community with a large Filipino and South Asian population anchored by a BART station driving transit-oriented redevelopment. Incorporated 1959, governed by a five-member Council.

CivicCause organizes issues, meetings, elections, and public activity around Union City so you can see what is happening locally and how it connects to broader county decisions.

Union City faces a significant housing challenge with a Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) requiring 2,728 new housing units between 2023 and 2031. Of these, 1,358 units must be affordable to low- and very low-income households. This obligation is one of the most demanding in the Tri-Cities area relative to the city's current housing stock, highlighting the pressure on local housing development and affordability efforts.

Other ongoing issues in Union City include a recent city manager transition following the departure of a long-serving leader, and an update to the Climate Action Plan that involves community input to guide the city’s environmental strategy. Additionally, the Santa Rita Jail remains under federal oversight due to concerns about mental health treatment. Residents should watch for any upcoming city council discussions or public meetings that address housing production progress or leadership updates, as these will shape Union City's development and governance in the near term.

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