California Construction News staff writer
The City of Oakland’s Housing and Community Development Department (Oakland HCD) announced the recipients of the 2024-2025 New Construction of Multifamily Affordable Housing Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). A total of $80.5 million has been awarded to five new affordable housing projects across Oakland, which will build 583 new affordable rental homes.
The five projects were selected from a competitive pool of twenty-four applicants. Awarded Projects:
Mandela Station – $15 million (plus previously awarded $18 million)
- Units: 238 (60 dedicated for Homeless/Special Needs)
- Developer: Mandela Station LP (Pacific West Communities, Inc. & Strategic Urban Development Alliance, LLC)
- Location: 1451 7th St., District 3
Liberation Park Residences – $28 million
- Units: 118 (30 dedicated for Homeless/Special Needs)
- Developer: Eden Housing & Black Cultural Zone
- Location: 7101 Foothill Blvd., District 6
34th & San Pablo – $7 million
- Units: 59 (30 dedicated for Homeless/Special Needs)
- Developer: 34SP Development LP (EBALDC)
- Location: 3419-3431 San Pablo Ave., District 3
The Eliza – $20 million
- Units: 96 (20 dedicated for Homeless/Special Needs)
- Developer: Mercy Housing California
- Location: 2125 Telegraph Ave., District 3
3135 San Pablo – $10.5 million
- Units: 72 (36 dedicated for Homeless/Special Needs)
- Developer: SAHA & St. Mary’s Center
- Location: 3515 San Pablo Ave., District 3
“These awards mark an exciting step forward in our efforts to address Oakland’s housing crisis,” said Oakland Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “By investing in deeply affordable housing, we are ensuring that residents have access to the homes they need, while also supporting critical infrastructure projects like the Liberation Park Market Hall and Cultural Hub in East Oakland.”
The total amount requested from the twenty-four applicants was $420 million, significantly outpacing the $80.5 million available. However, Oakland’s funding plays a pivotal role as the initial investment, allowing developers to leverage additional funds from the state and private partners. Historically, for every dollar invested by Oakland, developers secure approximately seven additional dollars in funding.
Oakland’s housing investments are bolstered by Measure U, the voter-approved 2022 housing and infrastructure bond measure. The city’s partnership with the Oakland Housing Authority (OHA) has also led to the establishment of a unique set-aside fund. Up to $15 million of the total funding pool has been earmarked for developments where OHA has substantial investment or ownership. Mandela Station Affordable was awarded funding under this set-aside.
Emily Weinstein, Director of Oakland HCD, expressed her enthusiasm about the impact of the awarded projects: “These projects, along with the ones that remain in the pipeline, are key to addressing homelessness and providing affordable housing for our low-income families. It’s a critical step forward in combating Oakland’s housing crisis.”
The five awarded developments, along with additional projects in the pipeline, will serve Oakland’s most vulnerable residents, including individuals experiencing homelessness and extremely low-income households. Projects will seek additional funding from the state through the Tax Exempt Bond and Low Income Housing Tax Credit programs in January 2025, with potential for funding through the State’s Homekey+ program as early as February 2025.
As part of the city’s ongoing efforts to accelerate housing development, the Oakland HCD also announced that the application process for future funding rounds would be streamlined. This includes the set-aside funding in collaboration with the Oakland Housing Authority, which will help provide additional capital and operational support to these projects.
The New Construction NOFA is an essential tool in the city’s ongoing efforts to combat housing inequality. Since 2019, Oakland HCD has awarded $237.8 million in funding through this program, helping bring affordable housing solutions to the city’s residents.
For more information about the New Construction NOFA, including future funding rounds, visit the Oakland HCD website.
