EBALDC's constituents often face barriers and obstacles in obtaining market-rate housing, and include immigrants and refugees, persons with disabilities, seniors and others on fixed incomes, and other extremely low- and low-income persons in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.

EBALDC serves an ethnically diverse population through its rental, homeownership, and family economic success programs. As of May 2009, the racial/ethnic identities of residents were approximately 45% Black / African-American, 40% Asian / Pacific Islander, 8% Hispanic / Latino, 5% White / Non-Hispanic, 1% Native American / Alaskan Indian. (Note: these figures represent only current resident households of properties managed by EBALDC. Total does not equal 100% due to rounding of fractions.)

The income level of EBALDC program participants, residents and home buyers are: approximately 60% extremely low income (below 30% of Area Median Income [AMI], which currently is $26,790 for a 4-person household); ~25% very low (between 30% and 50% of AMI); ~10% low income (50% to less than 60% AMI). These can vary because median income is determined annually by HUD based on the AMI of all Alameda and Contra Costa County residents.

EBALDC houses over 2,500 adults and children and assists at least another 1,000 annually through its housing and economic development programs. EBALDC has done much of its work in partnership with other non-profits, schools, churches, local, state, and federal government, and for-profit partners.