Bay Area

BRIDGE Housing and The Unity Council Celebrate Grand Opening of Casa Sueños, a 181-Unit Affordable Housing Community in Oakland’s Fruitvale Village

OAKLAND, Calif. (June 26, 2024) – BRIDGE Housing, the leading nonprofit affordable housing developer and manager on the West Coast, and The Unity Council, an acclaimed social equity development corporation, today welcomed dignitaries, partners and community members to celebrate the grand opening of Casa Sueños, a 181-unit affordable housing community in Oakland’s Fruitvale Village.

Published

2 years ago

July 8, 2024

Oakland Post

The Unity Council is a non-profit community development organization committed to promoting social equity and improving the quality of life for diverse communities in Oakland and the Greater East Bay. Since its inception in 1964, The Unity Council has provided vital services, including affordable housing, workforce development, and health and wellness programs, to empower residents and strengthen neighborhoods.

As part of the award-winning, transit-oriented Fruitvale Village, Casa Sueños provides essential affordable housing for individuals, families, and those who have experienced homelessness

Casa Sueños, located at the intersection of East 12^th Street and 35^th Avenue, will help address Oakland’s critical housing shortage by providing studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments that will be affordable for families earning 20-80% of Area Median Income. Forty-six units are reserved for residents who have previously experienced homelessness, with permanent supportive services provided by Lifelong Medical Care and funded by Alameda County. Another 29 apartments are available through vouchers from the Oakland Housing Authority. Youth and family services are provided by The Unity Council.

Casa Sueños also includes 7,500 square feet of affordable ground-floor commercial space that will be utilized by Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice (CURYJ), an Oakland-based nonprofit focused on ending youth criminalization and mass incarceration.

Today’s ribbon-cutting was attended by dozens of government leaders, housing officials, financing partners, new Casa Sueños residents, and community members.

“Casa Sueños demonstrates the transformational power of high-quality affordable housing, along with resident services, that will make a lasting positive difference in the lives of 181 individuals and families,” said BRIDGE Housing President and CEO Ken Lombard. “Working shoulder to shoulder with The Unity Council and our other partners, we have made the innovative Fruitvale Village even more vibrant – setting a new standard for livable communities that help residents realize their fullest potential.”

“Place-based affordable housing is the cornerstone of stability. This incredible structure was a BART parking lot just a few years ago. Now it will offer affordable, dignified housing to families and essential workers in the heart of Oakland,” said The Unity Council CEO Chris Iglesias. “The return on investment will benefit the entire region. All parties need to find ways to remove barriers, work collaboratively, and speed up the process for the greater good.”

Casa Sueños responds to the growing need for affordable homes for working families and essential workers in Oakland and the Bay Area. It was developed in partnership with City, County and transit partners, is steps away from Fruitvale BART station, a major AC Transit hub, and the planned Bus Rapid Transit. Initially planned as a market-rate housing development, Casa Sueños is the final residential component of the award-winning Fruitvale Transit Village, which first opened in 2004.

Importantly, Casa Sueños was the model development instrumental in the passage of AB 434, a state law that streamlines four funding programs for rental housing into a single application and award process – accelerating the production of affordable housing for Californians.

Amenities at Casa Sueños include a multi-purpose room with chairs and tables for resident educational use; a community room with desks, sofas, and a kitchen; communal laundry rooms on the first four floors; Amazon lockers in the mailroom; a large courtyard with children’s play equipment, grills, and numerous seating areas; and an underground garage with EV chargers and a bike storage room.

Founded in 1983, BRIDGE Housing has a 40-year history of providing safe, affordable homes for families in the Bay Area and throughout the West Coast. With a focus on community development and comprehensive support services, BRIDGE has nearly 1,200 units of affordable housing in 10 locations throughout Oakland, including the historic St. Joseph’s campus in Fruitvale. Its total portfolio exceeds 13,000 units in California, Washington and Oregon, providing affordable homes for 30,000 residents.

For 60 years, The Unity Council has been focused on supporting Oakland residents through improved social equity and quality of life while addressing the area’s most pressing challenges – unemployment, poverty, access to education, and erasure of cultural identity. Its programs include workforce development, early childhood education, food security, youth leadership and senior services, and development without displacement.

“As we celebrate the grand opening of Casa Sueños, a beacon of opportunity in our beloved Fruitvale of Oakland’s District 5, we affirm our commitment to equity and dignity for all,” said Oakland City Councilmember Noel Gallo (D-5). “This remarkable transit-oriented community not only provides affordable housing but also embodies our shared vision of inclusive development. Thanks to the leadership of The Unity Council and BRIDGE Housing, Casa Sueños stands as a testament to what is possible when we come together with purpose and passion. Let us continue to build unity and bridges as we create homes where every resident can thrive and contribute to the vibrant tapestry of our city.”

Financing for Casa Sueños was provided by the City of Oakland; Oakland Housing Authority; Alameda County; Alameda County Health Care Services Agency; California Department of Housing and Community Development TOD Housing Program; California Climate Investments (funded through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund); Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program through the Strategic Growth Council and the California Department of Housing and Community Development; National Affordable Housing Trust; Lument; JPMorgan Chase; California Tax Credit Allocation Committee; and California Debt Limit Allocation Committee. The architect is SVA Architects, and the general contractor is J.H. Fitzmaurice.

About BRIDGE Housing

BRIDGE Housing is a leading nonprofit developer, owner and manager of high-quality affordable housing on the West Coast, with a mission to strengthen communities and improve lives. Founded in 1983, BRIDGE has participated in the creation of more than 21,000 affordable homes in California, Oregon and Washington, with a total development cost of $5.2 billion. Its current portfolio totals more than 13,000 apartments that are home to 30,000 residents, with another 8,000 units in the development pipeline. For more information, visit www.bridgehousing.com.

About The Unity Council

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

Alameda County Receives Grant to Help Mentally Struggling Individuals in the Justice System

Don't Miss

VIDEO: Biden Fires Back at Media

Oakland Post

Click to comment

Activism

Chase Oakland Community Center Hosts Alley-Oop Accelerator Building Community and Opportunity for Bay Area Entrepreneurs

Over the past three years, the Alley-Oop Accelerator has helped more than 20 Bay Area businesses grow, connect, and gain meaningful exposure. The program combines hands-on training, mentorship, and community-building to help participants navigate the legal, financial, and marketing challenges of small business ownership.

Published

1 week ago

February 21, 2026

Oakland Post

Bay Area entrepreneurs attend the Alley-Oop Accelerator, a small business incubation program at Chase Oakland Community Center. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

The Golden State Warriors and Chase bank hosted the third annual Alley-Oop Accelerator this month, an empowering eight-week program designed to help Bay Area entrepreneurs bring their visions for business to life.

The initiative kicked off on Feb. 12 at Chase’s Oakland Community Center on Broadway Street, welcoming 15 small business owners who joined a growing network of local innovators working to strengthen the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

At its core, the accelerator is designed to create an ecosystem of collaboration, where local entrepreneurs can learn from one another while accessing the resources of a global financial institution.

“This is our third year in a row working with the Golden State Warriors on the Alley-Oop Accelerator,” said Jaime Garcia, executive director of Chase’s Coaching for Impact team for the West Division. “We’ve already had 20-plus businesses graduate from the program, and we have 15 enrolled this year. The biggest thing about the program is really the community that’s built amongst the business owners — plus the exposure they’re able to get through Chase and the Golden State Warriors.”

According to Garcia, several graduates have gone on to receive vendor contracts with the Warriors and have gained broader recognition through collaborations with JPMorgan Chase.

“A lot of what Chase is trying to do,” Garcia added, “is bring businesses together because what they’ve asked for is an ecosystem, a network where they can connect, grow, and thrive organically.”

This year’s Alley-Oop Accelerator reflects that vision through its comprehensive curriculum and emphasis on practical learning. Participants explore the full spectrum of business essentials including financial management, marketing strategy, and legal compliance, while also preparing for real-world experiences such as pop-up market events.

Each entrepreneur benefits from one-on-one mentoring sessions through Chase’s Coaching for Impact program, which provides complimentary, personalized business consulting.

Garcia described the impact this hands-on approach has had on local small business owners. He recalled one candlemaker, who, after participating in the program, was invited to provide candles as gifts at Chase events.

“We were able to help give that business exposure,” he explained. “But then our team also worked with them on how to access capital to buy inventory and manage operations once those orders started coming in. It’s about preparation. When a hiccup happens, are you ready to handle it?”

The Coaching for Impact initiative, which launched in 2020 in just four cities, has since expanded to 46 nationwide.

“Every business is different,” Garcia said. “That’s why personal coaching matters so much. It’s life-changing.”

Participants in the 2026 program will each receive a $2,500 stipend, funding that Garcia said can make an outsized difference. “It’s amazing what some people can do with just $2,500,” he noted. “It sounds small, but it goes a long way when you have a plan for how to use it.”

For Chase and the Warriors, the Alley-Oop Accelerator represents more than an educational initiative, it’s a pathway to empowerment and economic inclusion. The program continues to foster lasting relationships among the entrepreneurs who, as Garcia put it, “build each other up” through shared growth and opportunity.

“Starting a business is never easy, but with the right support, it becomes possible, and even exhilarating,” said Oscar Lopez, the senior business consultant for Chase in Oakland.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of February 18 – 24, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – February 18 – 24, 2026

Published

2 weeks ago

February 20, 2026

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Bay Area

CITY OF SAN LEANDRO STATE OF CALIFORNIA PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ENGINEERING DIVISION NOTICE TO BIDDERS FOR ANNUAL STREET OVERLAY/REHABILITATION 2019-21 – PHASE III

WORK DESCRIPTION: The work to be done consists of roadway paving, base cement stabilization, concrete curb ramps, driveways, sidewalks, curbs and gutters, traffic detection loops and pavement striping, and doing all appurtenant work in place and ready for use, all as shown on the plans and described in the specifications with the title indicated in Paragraph 1 above, and on file in the office of the City Engineer. Reference to said plans and specifications is hereby made for further particulars.

Published

2 weeks ago

February 20, 2026

Oakland Post

PROJECT NO. 2020.0050

BID NO. 25-26.011

BID OPENING: The bidder shall complete the “Proposal to the City of San Leandro” form contained in the Contract Book. The proposal shall be submitted in its entirety. Incomplete proposals will be considered non-responsive. Sealed bids containing the completed Proposal Section subject to the conditions named herein and in the specifications for ANNUAL STREET OVERLAY/REHABILITATION 2019-21 – PHASE III/PROJECT NO. 2020.0050 addressed to the City of San Leandro will be received at City Hall, 835 East 14^th Street, 2^nd Floor San Leandro at the office of the City Clerk up to 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at which time they will be publicly opened and read.
WORK DESCRIPTION: The work to be done consists of roadway paving, base cement stabilization, concrete curb ramps, driveways, sidewalks, curbs and gutters, traffic detection loops and pavement striping, and doing all appurtenant work in place and ready for use, all as shown on the plans and described in the specifications with the title indicated in Paragraph 1 above, and on file in the office of the City Engineer. Reference to said plans and specifications is hereby made for further particulars.
OBTAINING THE PROJECT PLANS AND CONTRACT BOOK: The project plans and Contract Book may be obtained free of charge from the City’s website at:https://www.sanleandro.org/Bids.aspx Bidders who download the plans are encouraged to contact the City of San Leandro Public Works Department Engineering division at 510-577-3428 to be placed on the project planholder’s list to receive courtesy notifications of addenda and other project information. Project addenda, if any, will be posted on the website. A bidder who fails to address all project addenda in its proposal may be deemed non-responsive.Bidders may also purchase the Project Plans and Contract Book from East Bay Blueprint & Supply Co., at 1745 14^th Street, Oakland, CA 94606; Phone Number: (510) 261-2990 or email: ebbp@eastbayblueprint.com.
PRE-BID CONFERENCE: A mandatory pre-bid conference will be held on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 2:00 PM and on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 10:00 AM as follows:
Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 2:00 PM
Zoom Meeting ID: 883 8752 6074
Passcode: 502955
Zoom Link: https://sanleandro-org.zoom.us/j/88387526074?pwd=hZ5rjB8AWdLAUem3CtByFiZxqKarHj.1
And
Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 10:00 AM
Zoom Meeting ID: 898 2672 0472
Passcode: 091848
Zoom Link: https://sanleandro-org.zoom.us/j/89826720472?pwd=JgZX2nXMpLSRM5xDPr7EJUxl7QIznr.1The information presented at the conferences will be identical, all bidders must attend one of the pre-bid conference and sign the attendance sheet. A firm that didn’t attend the pre-bid conference isn’t qualified to bid on the project.Questions regarding the plans and specifications may be submitted in writing to the project engineer until 5:00 p.m. five (5) days before, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays, bids must be received by the City. The City will not respond to oral questions outside of the pre-bid conference. The response, if any, will be by written addendum only. Oral responses do not constitute a revision to these plans or specifications.
VALUE OF WORK: The Engineer has estimated that the value of work is between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000.
SAN LEANDRO BUSINESS PREFERENCE AND PARTICIPATION GOALS: The work performed under this contract is subject to Section 1-6-225 of the San Leandro Municipal Code regarding local business preference and participation. A list of companies that hold a San Leandro business license is located on the City webpage under the finance department, here: https://www.sanleandro.org/340/Business-License
SAN LEANDRO COMMUNITY WORKFORCE AGREEMENT: The work performed under this contract is subject to the Community Workforce Agreement adopted by City Council Resolution 2015-104. Contractors attention is directed to Section 10.