CDSS: New Affordable and Permanent Supportive Housing Project for Older Adults Breaks Ground in Oakland’s Chinatown Community

The New 97-Unit Development Received Funding Through the Community Care Expansion Program to Provide Housing for Older Adults and Individuals Experiencing Homelessness

OAKLAND, CA – The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has announced the groundbreaking of the Transit Oriented Development (TOD), an affordable housing project set for development in Oakland’s Chinatown neighborhood. The 97-unit community was supported by a $10.9 million investment through CDSS’ Community Care Expansion (CCE) program, which is creating and expanding housing options that support independent living for older adults and adults with disabilities who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

“The Community Care Expansion program continues to make a positive impact across California,” CDSS Director Jennifer Troia said. “Projects are underway across California, six of which have completed construction and are in the process of moving-in residents. This project in Oakland will expand affordable housing options in the community and help improve the quality of life for older adults and individuals experiencing homelessness.”

The TOD project will provide 97 units of affordable housing centrally located next to public transit. Of these, 44 are permanent supportive housing units that were funded through the CCE program. These 44 units will be reserved for older adults at risk of or experiencing homelessness who have mental and/or physical health limitations, active or history of substance use, or co-occurring disorders. Residents will have access to on-site services including referrals to community resources and benefits, case management, life skills training, financial planning, job counseling, mental health services, and support for substance abuse recovery.

The TOD project is sponsored by the East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC), a non-profit community development organization with more than 48 years of experience in building healthy, vibrant, and safe neighborhoods in Oakland and the East Bay.

“This project is a testament to what’s possible when an empowered community produces a vision for its future,” EBALDC CEO Janelle Chan said. “This project provides multigenerational housing, space for small businesses, and areas for the community to gather as a direct result of extensive community engagement and influence, and innovative public-private partnerships, particularly with BART. Today, we celebrate the first step toward realizing our community’s vision for a vibrant, healthy future.”
Rendering of the Chinatown TOD project.

Rendering of the Chinatown TOD project.

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT: Affordable housing communities like the TOD are increasingly important as a growing number of older adults are facing homelessness. Among single adults experiencing homelessness, nearly half (48 percent) were 50 years and older. Among single adults 50 years and older, 41 percent became homeless for the first time at age 50 or older. This project helps support the need for affordable housing in Oakland, particularly for older adults at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

MORE ABOUT THE CCE PROGRAM: The CCE program grant funds have invested more than $570 million in local communities, supporting 61 projects and creating more than 3,000 new bed/housing units with care and supportive services. These investments support the acquisition, rehabilitation, and construction of adult and senior care facilities, as well as other community-based residential care settings, such as permanent supportive housing and recuperative care sites. To date, six housing projects providing 493 beds/units have completed construction and are in the process of initiating move-in, and an additional 12 projects representing 552 beds/units have also broken ground.

These investments also support Goal One of California’s Master Plan for Aging, a blueprint to prepare the public and private sectors for demographic changes. Goal One targets delivering new housing options for older adults and people with disabilities by 2030.

If you have any questions, please contact CDSS at (916) 657-2268.

View the press release on the CDSS website here.