Six affordable housing developers in Oakland were awarded a total of $30 million from the state to add new affordable housing units to serve low-income households in the city. The funding will go toward the building of 413 units, 168 of which will provide permanent supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness, mental illness and substance abuse issues, the city announced Wednesday.
The six developments are being funded through California’s No Place Like Home Program and the Supportive Housing Multifamily Housing Program, as well as Oakland’s voter-approved Measure KK for affordable housing. The 168 permanent supportive housing units will combine housing with supportive services such as case management, aid with physical disabilities, mental health assistance and support with daily life activities.
The projects will consist of a mix of new construction and rehabilitated buildings, and have varying completion dates from later this year through 2022. The new residents of the buildings will be chosen through the Alameda County Coordinated Entry System to ensure the people with the greatest needs are accommodated in the properties. “These housing developments are incredibly important for addressing the needs of our most vulnerable populations,” said Sara Bedford, the city’s Director of Human Services. Bedford said it is critical to get more projects like this funded and operational to address the housing crisis in the region.