OAKLEY, CA - The construction of 316 affordable housing units is nearing completion amid vineyards, light industrial businesses and a school. But some Oakley residents fear the low-income housing project opening this summer will result in more crime and adversely affect the quality of life. The Commons at Oak Grove will ultimately bring 162 units for seniors and 154 units for families into the city. Some have criticized the project for its high density and large concentration of affordable housing in one area.
Oakley resident Erin Marsh said the tall buildings off Main Street are an eyesore. The city should have better informed its residents of other options for low-income housing, she said. "I don't feel Oakley needs the types of people likely to be attracted to these buildings," Marsh said. "Look at Antioch and their areas of low-income housing. That is not what we need here."
According to Redevelopment Director Barbara Mason, there is a huge need for these apartments among those affected by the housing market crisis. Mason said the multifamily interest list had to be closed after 1,000 qualified families signed up immediately. "These are families who have lost their homes and are forced into the rental market. They are working parents trying to make ends meet. It has to do with the economy, and they are not able to afford a home," she said.
The bulk of Oakley's current affordable housing is for low-income seniors, but this residential community will offer units for older people designated as very low and extremely low-income, Mason said. Senior advocate Shirl LeFave said she is concerned for the seniors living in the complex and vicinity. She lives in a nearby senior mobile home community. "I fear for them. I fear it will interfere with a calm life for them. I fear for the rise in crime in our city," LeFave said.
Mason said the city will carefully monitor the complex's management and the amount of police activity there. All of the tenants are carefully screened, and a part-time Oakley police officer is working closely with the city's low-income apartment complexes. "What it comes down to is the management of the facilities," she said. "There are provisions in documents with the city making sure that they don't exceed a number of police calls for the city, and they have to pay cash for those calls."
As a general contractor for the apartment complex, Charlie Brumbaugh said the response has been so overwhelming that there is a need for another 400 to 500 multifamily units. The family apartments and the first set of senior apartments will open in a few weeks, followed by the other two sets of senior units in June and August. "It is going to serve the needs of people who will need it the most," he said.
The monthly rents of the senior units range from $300 to $700 based on their income, and the multifamily rents are between $600 and $1,400. As for the density concern, Brumbaugh said there are similar projects across the nation. Brumbaugh added that problem tenants will be asked to leave. "I understand people's concerns," Brumbaugh said. "We will make sure people follow the rules. We have projects all over the state."
Source: East County Times