City Government

City to Evict Homeless Around Lake Merritt, Erect Third Tuff Shed Village

Published

6 years ago

October 5, 2018

Oakland’s third Tuff Shed village has been installed south of Lake Merritt, across the street from Laney College, just next to the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center. It will hold 40 people in its 20 sheds. Each shed is equipped with two beds and a center divider for privacy.

The newest Tuff Shed village is expected to house those living in encampments around the lake, which are being cleared in the coming weeks. A recent census by nonprofit Operation Dignity found that 65 homeless individuals were living around the lake. The City acknowledges that not everyone will be able to fit into the Tuff Shed site, yet as the sheds are erected, the City plans to enforce ‘no camping’ rules in the area.

“We don’t consider these houses. We consider this moving from a tent to a bed, and then the next step is to move from a bed to real housing,” said Joe Devries, an assistant city administrator. To date, 41 people who have moved into the first two Tuff Shed sites have moved on to transitional and permanent housing, 23 have found jobs, and all have received access to social services and healthcare assistance, according to a Sept. 27 email update from Councilmember Abel Guillén.

All three Tuff Shed villages—one at 27th and Northgate, another at Sixth and Castro—have minimal ground rules, like no weapons, verbal or physical abuse, open fires, theft, drug-dealing or using drugs on the premises. Residents can come and go as they please, but must sign in and out, and they may not access storage sheds without staff permission. Guests are allowed, but may not stay overnight.

The sites offer portable toilets, a case worker on site, and storage nearby for people’s belongings. Through a partnership with nonprofit Lava Mae, a free weekly shower service will visit the sites. Yet many homeless people and advocates are resistant to the project, especially the clearing of existing tent encampments.

City officials say that tent encampments have caused over $500,000 in damages to a wetland restoration area, and that one camper’s fire nearly burned down the Rotary Nature Center on the north shore of the lake. “Our unsheltered residents deserve our support and compassion, but so do children who rely on the Junior Center of Art and Science (and) families who rely on Lake Merritt as the place to find refuge and connection with nature,” said Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf.

But some homeless advocates, like Nino Parker, founder of Homeless Green Team, are skeptical that the Tuff Sheds are in the best interest of the city’s unhoused population. “If you have nowhere to put someone, then your vehicle to remove them ends, because at that point, you’re just pushing people around the streets,” he told the East Bay Express in September.

Parker is homeless, and he has organized several encampments to keep their areas clean, through the Homeless Green Team project. He also organized to protest the closure of lake campsites at a rally on Sept. 11, the same day as a meeting of Oakland’s Life Enrichment Committee addressing the Tuff Sheds. Sixteen people from the public spoke about the Tuff Shed project, several were critical of the project.

“We want to see long-term solutions,” said Nikki Fortunato-Bas, a candidate for Oakland City Council, District 2. She asked for more input from the community before the council’s vote. “There was a rally this afternoon…You all have to listen to our homeless neighbors to hear what they want.”

Oakland resident Oscar Puentes said the project should be a solution to homelessness, but is being used “as an excuse to kick out people who have already dealt with the fact that Oakland can’t provide them affordable housing.”

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Related Topics:homeless housing Oakland Politics

Up Next

Political Candidates Pledge to Refuse Donations From Coal Terminal Developer

Don't Miss

Report on Alameda County Jails Reveals Dastardly Conditions

Oakland Post

Click to comment

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

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

Activism

City of Oakland Celebrates Reopening of Main Library

“Libraries are such critical facilities for all Oaklanders, whether it’s children coming to story-time, adults reading the newspapers or borrowing the latest novels, and people engaging with a range of services and programs that the library hosts,” said Council President and District 2 Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas. “Such library services and programs are only possible when the facility’s electricity, heating, roof, and lighting are fixed and running efficiently. I’m proud to join this re-opening of our Main Public Library.”

Published

4 days ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Left to Right- Jamie Turbak, Director of Library Services, LaTonda Simmons, Assistant City Administrator, Nikki Bas, President Oakland City Council, Shen Thao, Mayor of Oakland, Carroll Fife, Oakland City Councilmember District 3, Harold Duffey, Assistant City Administrator, Sean Maher, Projects Coordinator. Photo by Kevin Hicks.

The branch had been closed since May for critical infrastructure upgrades

Special to the Post

The City of Oakland leadership and community partners gathered to celebrate the reopening of the Main Library after completion of critical infrastructure upgrades to enhance the library’s facilities and provide a better experience for patrons.

Renovations include new roof installation, skylight repair, critical electrical system upgrades, new boiler control system installation, auditorium heating and cooling system installation, and improvements to lighting, flooring and ceilings throughout the building.

“This is truly something to celebrate, the reopening of our wonderful Main Library! I congratulate the staff and our partners for this important project to make the Main Library a more comfortable place for everyone for years to come, said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. “Thank you to Oakland voters and the California State Library for making these crucial improvements possible.”

“Public libraries are a wonderful resource for our residents, offering a safe space for learning and being,” said District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife. “It is critical to improve and modernize our libraries so more members of our community can utilize and enjoy them. I’m excited that the necessary renovations to the Main Library have been completed successfully and thank everyone involved, particularly the City team, who helped secured the necessary grant funds for this work.”

“I am proud of the City staff and project partners who kept this important project on schedule and under budget,” said Assistant City Administrator G. Harold Duffey. “The library is an incredibly important resource for our community members, and this project is an investment into the library’s future.”

“December 2nd was a momentous occasion for Oakland Public Library as we proudly reopened the doors of the Main Library following extensive infrastructure repairs,” said Director of Library Services Jamie Turbak. “Closing the Main Library for six months was no easy decision, as it serves as the central hub for our library system and is truly the heart of Oakland. Yet, this renovation was essential, representing more than just physical upgrades—it reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, welcoming space for everyone.”

The City Administrator Jestin Johnson also attended the press conference and signalled his support for the completion of the record-setting completion of the renovations. Gay Plair Cobb, a newly appointed Library Commissioner said the Library represents the soul and brains of our community.

The Oakland Public Library secured funding for these crititcal repairs through a variety of sources. The California State Library’s Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program awarded the Main Branch $4.2 million. To comply with the grant terms, the City of Oakland provided matching funds through Measures KK, as approved by the Oakland City Council in October 2023.

The Main Library will host an Open House to celebrate the reopening on February 22, 2025, 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

About the Oakland Public Library

The Oakland Public Library is a part of the City of Oakland in California and has been in existence since 1878. Locations include 16 neighborhood branches, a Main Library, a Second Start Adult Literacy Program, the Oakland Tool Lending Library, and the African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO). The Oakland Public Library empowers all people to explore, connect, and grow. Oaklandlibrary.org

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

BWOPA Honors Black Leadership and Legacy at 2024 Ella Hill Hutch Awards Dinner

On Dec. 5, BWOPA held its Annual Ella Hill Hutch Awards Ceremony, at the Fairmont Claremont Hotel in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills. At the event, the group comprised of Black women from various professional backgrounds, honored distinguished local and state leaders whose contributions have shaped civic engagement and advanced critical social issues impacting Black communities.

Published

4 days ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

L-R: BWOPA State Executive Director LaNiece Jones; State Asm. Mia Bonta; BWOPA 2024 Man of The Year/Urban League SFBA CEO Ken Maxey; BWOPA State President Hon. Dezie Woods-Jones; State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas; Rowena Brown, Oakland Councilmember At-Large, Elect; BWOPA State Regional Director Vashone Huff. Courtesy photo.

By Oakland Post Staff

Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) is a statewide non-profit advocacy and membership organization committed to solving problems affecting Black Californians.

On Dec. 5, BWOPA held its Annual Ella Hill Hutch Awards Ceremony, at the Fairmont Claremont Hotel in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills.

At the event, the group comprised of Black women from various professional backgrounds, honored distinguished local and state leaders whose contributions have shaped civic engagement and advanced critical social issues impacting Black communities.

The evening was hosted by Dr. Shawna Charles, founder of The Charles Communications Group (CCG) headquartered in Los Angeles. Charles served as mistress of ceremonies.

With a track record of elevating voices and empowering communities, Charles’ leadership and insight brought a certain dynamism to the celebration.

“Each year, this event not only celebrates the enduring legacy of our beloved BWOPA founding member, Ella Hill Hutch, but also reaffirms and amplifies our unwavering commitment to building and sustaining Black political power across California,” said Dezie Woods-Jones, BWOPA founding member and State president.

“Ella Hill Hutch’s trailblazing leadership continues to inspire us as we forge ahead, empowering Black women to lead, advocate, and shape a more equitable future for all,” added Woods-Jones.

This year’s event introduced the DWJ Rising Star Award, honoring young leaders like Solano County Board Supervisors-elect Cassandra James, Danielle Motley-Lewis, Naomi Waters and newly elected State Assemblymember elect Rhodesia Ransom (D-Stockton).

According to organizers, the awardees all exemplify “the next generation of changemakers.”

Other awardees included:

Lifetime Achievement Awardees: Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) and Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson
Man of the Year: Kenneth Maxey, CEO of the Greater SF Bay Area Urban League
President’s Corporate Award: Yvette Radford, Kaiser Permanente
In the Spirit of Ella State and Chapter Awards: Dr. Carolyn Greene, Dr. Marcella K. Smith, Dr. Carolyn Drake, Tinisch Hollins, Jackie Jones, Gloria Burgess Johnson, Tamika L’Ecluse, Ellen Nash, Betty Reid Soskin, and Ay’Anna Moody.

BWOPA also celebrated local champions across its chapters, including leaders in voter education, healthcare, criminal justice reform, and community advocacy.

In a statement, BWOPA said, “Honoring Ella Hill Hutch’s legacy, BWOPA recognizes her pioneering efforts as the first Black woman elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Her tireless work amplifying underrepresented voices continues to inspire BWOPA’s mission to build Black political power across California.”

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to our members, partners and allies who believe in BWOPA’s vision to invest in building power for Black women’s leadership,” said LaNiece Jones, BWOPA State executive director. “Your support ensures that Black women have a voice at decision-making tables locally, regionally, statewide, and nationally, advancing diversity and equity in leadership spaces.”