Governor Gavin Newsom recently announced Homekey+ program awards to rehabilitate properties and create housing for residents who are experiencing homelessness. The funding is a result of voter-approved Proposition 1 which brings $6.4 billion for mental health treatment and housing with services.
The Mark Twain Homes project will include the rehabilitation and minor new construction of a four-building development. The new development will include a community room, a computer room, space for supportive services, bicycle parking, landscaping, and a common space for all residents. The project is central to necessary amenities such as a full-scale grocery store, a medical clinic, a public park, and a public library.
“This $33 million Homekey+ award is a proud moment for Oakland – proof that our city leads with real solutions,” said Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee. “With the Mark Twain Homes project, we’re adding 109 affordable housing units that will provide stability and dignity for Oaklanders who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing homelessness. And we will keep building on this momentum to make Oakland a city where everyone has a clean, safe place to call home.”
Homekey+, administered by the California Department of Housing & Community Development, is the state’s renowned program that began at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Homekey+ facilitates the purchase and/or rehabilitation of hotels, motels, vacant apartment buildings, manufactured homes, and other properties, and conversion of them into homes for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
This award marks Oakland’s eleventh successful Homekey application, building on the City’s deepening focus towards creating housing for formerly homeless individuals. The award leverages an additional $13 million of City of Oakland funds. With this latest award, Oakland has secured nearly $138.5 million of State Homekey funds since 2020 to house residents experiencing homelessness. The City’s eleven awarded Homekey projects provide a total of 599 deeply affordable units for the unhoused. Oakland’s other awarded Homekey projects include:
- Clifton Hall, a former dormitory that offers 61 units for seniors and families;
- Inn by the Coliseum, a repurposed motel with 36 units;
- Project Reclamation, a series of scattered single-family homes throughout Oakland housing 80 families and individuals;
- Inn at Temescal, a repurposed motel with 21 units for veterans experiencing homelessness;
- Piedmont Place, a repurposed motel with 44 units;
- Kingdom Builders Transitional Housing, a repurposed motel with 34 transitional units for homeless youth and formerly incarcerated residents;
- Imperial Inn, a repurposed motel that will offer 47 permanent supportive housing units;
- CSH Enterprise/Quality Inn, a repurposed motel offering 104 units including 26 for transitional-aged youth;
- Dignity Village, 40 modular units for seniors experiencing homelessness to be built on publicly-owned land;
- The Maya Motel, a repurposed motel with 23 units for people exiting homelessness
As with all of Oakland’s Homekey projects, there will be a multi-pronged structure to ensure the project is successful. MPI Properties, Inc. will develop and own the property, MPI Management, LLC will serve as the property manager, and Housing Consortium of the East Bay will provide on-site supportive services.
Homelessness and housing affordability are top priorities for Oakland residents. To address these challenges, the City is carrying out a multi-pronged approach. The Housing and Community Development Department is addressing housing affordability issues through its “3P” framework: Protect Oaklanders from displacement; Preserve the existing affordable housing stock; and Produce new, deeply affordable housing units.
What They’re Saying:
“This project is coming at a very important time for Oakland,” said Noel Gallo, District 5 Councilmember. “I am proud to see housing resources come to my district that will strengthen our community. Thank you to all of the partners for bringing the solutions we need.”
"We are honored to have received this award that will support the development of much-needed housing for people exiting homelessness,”said Emily Weinstein, Director of Oakland’s Housing and Community Development Department. “Our work to create housing stability for Oakland’s most vulnerable residents is only possible through partnerships like these.”
“MPI Homes is honored to have received the City of Oakland’s confidence by investing an initial $5 million for the acquisition of Mark Twain in 2021, and again in 2023 with an additional $8 million to its investment”, said Ali Kashani, President of MPI Homes. “This is the sixth award from State HCD Homekey and Homekey+ to MPI Homes, and while all HCD programs are catalysts for affordable housing production, Homekey has been the magical catalyst making Mark Twain Homes “pencil” with only two funding sources: the City of Oakland and Homekey+. MPI Homes is also grateful to Alameda County for its supportive services funding since the acquisition of Mark Twain Homes.”
“At HCEB, our mission is to build inclusive communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Mark Twain Homes reflects this commitment by pairing deeply affordable housing with on-site supportive services that foster stability, dignity, and belonging,” said Darin Lounds, Chief Executive Officer, Housing Consortium of the East Bay (HCEB). “We are honored to partner with the City of Oakland and MPI on this important step toward ending homelessness and creating a more equitable future for all.”
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