As part of the award-winning, transit-oriented Fruitvale Village, Casa Sueños provides essential affordable housing for individuals, families, and those experiencing homelessness.
OAKLAND, Calif. (June 26, 2024) – BRIDGE Housing, the West Coast’s leading nonprofit affordable housing developer and manager, and The Unity Council, an established 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.
Casa Sueños at the intersection of East 12Number Street and 35Number The Avenues will help address Oakland’s severe housing shortage by providing studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments affordable to households making 20-80% of the area median income. 46 units are set aside for residents who have experienced homelessness, with permanent supportive services provided by Lifelong Medical Care and funded by Alameda County. An additional 29 units will be available through vouchers from the Oakland Housing Authority. Youth and family services will be provided by the Unity Council.
Casa Sueños will also include 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 that works to end youth criminalization and mass incarceration.
Today’s ribbon cutting was attended by dozens of government leaders, housing officials, lending partners, new Casa Sueños residents and community members.
“Casa Sueños demonstrates the transformative power of high-quality, affordable housing and resident services and will have a lasting positive impact on the lives of 181 individuals and families,” said Ken Lombard, president and CEO of BRIDGE Housing. “Working closely with Unity Council and other partners, we have made the innovative Fruitvale Village even more vibrant, setting a new standard for livable communities where residents can realize their full potential.”
“Neighborhood affordable housing is a cornerstone of stability. This incredible building was a BART parking lot only a few years ago. Now it will provide affordable, dignified housing for families and essential workers in downtown Oakland,” said Unity Council CEO Chris Iglesias. “The return on investment will benefit the entire community. All stakeholders must remove barriers, work collaboratively, and find ways to expedite the process for the greater good.”
Casa Sueños meets the growing need for affordable housing for working families and essential workers in Oakland and the Bay Area. Developed in collaboration with city, county and transportation partners, the housing is located just steps from the Fruitvale BART station, a major AC Transit hub and the planned Bus Rapid Transit system. Originally planned as a market-rate housing development, Casa Sueños is the final residential portion of the award-winning Fruitvale Transit Village, which first opened in 2004.
Importantly, Casa Sueños was the model development that helped lead to the passage of state law AB 434, which streamlined four funding programs for rental housing into a single application and award process, accelerating the construction of affordable housing for Californians.
Amenities at Casa Sueños include a multipurpose room with chairs and tables for resident education, a community room with desks, couches and a kitchen, shared laundry rooms on floors 1-4, Amazon lockers in the mailroom, a large courtyard with children’s play equipment, grills and numerous seating areas, and underground parking with EV chargers and bike storage.
Founded in 1983, BRIDGE Housing has a 40-year history of providing safe, affordable housing to families in the Bay Area and across the West Coast. With a focus on community development and comprehensive support services, BRIDGE owns approximately 1,200 affordable housing units in 10 locations across Oakland, including its historic St. Joseph campus in Fruitvale. The company’s portfolio totals more than 13,000 units, providing affordable housing to 30,000 residents.
For 60 years, Unity Council has focused on supporting Oaklanders through social equity and improving quality of life while addressing the region’s most pressing challenges, including unemployment, poverty, access to education and loss of cultural identity. Its programs include workforce development, early childhood education, food security, youth leadership and senior services, and displacement-free development.
“As we celebrate the grand opening of Casa Sueños, bringing opportunity to beloved Fruitvale in Oakland’s 5th District, we express our commitment to equality and dignity for all,” said Oakland City Councilman Noel Gallo (D, 5th Ward). “This incredible transit-focused community not only provides affordable housing, but embodies our shared vision of inclusive development. Thanks to the leadership of Unity Council and BRIDGE Housing, Casa Sueños is a testament to what’s possible when we come together with purpose and passion. Let’s continue to unite and build bridges as we build housing where all residents can thrive and contribute to the vibrant tapestry of our city.”
Funding for Casa Sueños was provided by the City of Oakland, Oakland Housing Authority, Alameda County, Alameda County Health Services Department, California Department of Housing and Community Development TOD Housing Program, California Climate Investments (funded by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund), the Strategic Growth Council and the California Department of Housing and Community Development Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program, National Affordable Housing Trust, Lument, JP Morgan Chase, California Tax Credit Allocation Board, and California Debt Limit Allocation Board. The architect is SVA Architects and the general contractor is JH Fitzmaurice.
About BRIDGE Housing
BRIDGE Housing is the leading nonprofit developer, owner and manager of quality affordable housing on the West Coast with a mission to strengthen communities and improve lives. Founded in 1983, BRIDGE has been involved in the creation of more than 21,000 affordable housing units across California, Oregon and Washington with total development costs of $5.2 billion. The company’s current portfolio includes more than 13,000 apartments, housing 30,000 residents, with an additional 8,000 units in development. For more information, visit www.bridgehousing.com.
About the Unity Council
Unity Council is a nonprofit community development organization whose mission is to advance social equity and improve the quality of life in the diverse communities of Oakland and the Greater East Bay. Since its founding in 1964, Unity Council has provided critical services to empower residents and strengthen neighborhoods, including affordable housing, workforce development, and health and wellness programs.
