August 1, 2007 - Oakland: Dellums Thanks State For $12m For Housing Programs

Oakland: Dellums Thanks State For $12m For Housing Programs

07/31/07 4:25 PDT
KPIX TV 5 (CBS)

OAKLAND (BCN)

Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums thanked Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and other state officials today for providing $12 million to facilitate homeownership opportunities as well as services for seniors and homeless people.

Speaking at a news conference at St. Mary's Center, which provides services for seniors and children, Dellums said, "This is a great day for Oakland as we move toward becoming a model city."

But he admitted, "We clearly have a long way to go" and "we need many more millions of dollars" before all of Oakland's housing issues can be resolved.

California Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing Agency Dale Bonner and California Secretary of Housing and Community Development Lynn Jacobs were on hand to turn over the money, which comes from a $2.85 billion housing bond passed by voters last November and a bond approved in November of 2002.

Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi, D-Hayward, also attended the news conference.

The $12 million that Oakland is receiving represents 28 percent of the funding awarded for the entire Bay Area.

The funding includes $1 million for mortgage assistance for families that need help buying their first home.

There also is funding for emergency shelter spaces for seniors during the winter as well as money to develop and rehabilitate emergency and supportive housing for seniors and homeless families.

The money also includes funds to improve parks and library resources for seniors and children in Oakland.

Bonner said the funding "will increase the supply of affordable housing in Oakland."

Officials at St. Mary's Center, which will receive $1 million in emergency housing assistance funds, say that according to the 2000 U.S. census, Oakland had the highest percentage (13.1 percent) of seniors living in poverty of any urban area in California.

The majority of those seniors are women and people of color.

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Oakland: Dellums Thanks State For $12m For Housing Programs

07/31/07 4:25 PDT KPIX TV 5 (CBS) OAKLAND (BCN) Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums thanked Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and other state officials today for providing $12 million to facilitate homeownership opportunities as well as services for seniors and homeless people. Speaking at a news conference at St. Mary's Center, which provides services for seniors and children, Dellums said, "This is a great day for Oakland as we move toward becoming a model city." But he admitted, "We clearly have a long way to go" and "we need many more millions of dollars" before all of Oakland's housing issues can be resolved. California Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing Agency Dale Bonner and California Secretary of Housing and Community Development Lynn Jacobs were on hand to turn over the money, which comes from a $2.85 billion housing bond passed by voters last November and a bond approved in November of 2002. Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi, D-Hayward, also attended the news conference. The $12 million that Oakland is receiving represents 28 percent of the funding awarded for the entire Bay Area. The funding includes $1 million for mortgage assistance for families that need help buying their first home. There also is funding for emergency shelter spaces for seniors during the winter as well as money to develop and rehabilitate emergency and supportive housing for seniors and homeless families. The money also includes funds to improve parks and library resources for seniors and children in Oakland. Bonner said the funding "will increase the supply of affordable housing in Oakland." Officials at St. Mary's Center, which will receive $1 million in emergency housing assistance funds, say that according to the 2000 U.S. census, Oakland had the highest percentage (13.1 percent) of seniors living in poverty of any urban area in California. The majority of those seniors are women and people of color.
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