Oakland
Opinion: Developer Danny Haber, Hero of Oakland
By Haqq Shabazz
On every street, in every public meeting, weekends and weeknights, people are talking about the lack of affordable housing and the resulting displacement.
Oakland now has the seventh most expensive rents and is acutely suffering from this issue.
The average one bedroom apartment currently rents for about $2,025 per month, while Oakland’s median household income is $54,618.
To compound the problem, the may actively courts large national developers to put up class A buildings that will rent at $3,000 or more per unit.
Over 14,000 of these expensive units are in the development pipeline, with prices Oakland residents cannot afford, bringing in new residents and pricing out Oakland’s long-term African American population.
One developer who is doing things differently is Danny Haber. At first, he has focused on revitalizing buildings. Two of his buildings, like the Ghostship, were formerly deathtraps.
Haber is not asking for tax dollars to transform dangerous housing to desirable housing and is working with former residents so they can come back at the same prices they previously paid.
This represents a game changer for development in Oakland and a model that can be applied to other buildings.
In West Oakland the African American population used to be 65 percent – now it is down to 25 percent .
Haber and his development firm oWow are building, 3-4 bedroom apartments targeted towards workforce housing and families. Units feature a kitchen, living room and two bathrooms. Every square inch is designed to keep rents affordable.
These innovatively designed units are allowing Oakland to stay Oakland, enabling new housing to keep neighborhoods diverse and prevent continued displacement .
Compared to all the Class A developments approved in Oakland, Haber and oWow’s units offer a refreshing anti gentrification alternative .
“We seek to build unsubsidized affordable housing solution that will shift the conversation from desperation to hope enabling people to focus on achieving the American dream instead of where am I going to be able to afford to live next month,” said Haber.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024
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Bay Area
BART to Retire Legacy Trains in Public Ceremony April 20
The Richmond Standard
Bay Area Rapid Transit’s final dispatch of legacy trains will take place on Saturday, April 20, and will be accompanied by a retirement ceremony and a final legacy ride.
At 1 p.m., the public is invited to celebrate the last run of BART’s legacy trains during a ceremony that will take place in the free area of the plaza at MacArthur Station in Oakland.
Following the ceremony, the public is invited to board a legacy train and ride from MacArthur to Fremont Station, mirroring the initial service BART provided when it opened Sept. 11, 1972.
“It’s a 45-minute trip that travels along approximately 24 miles of the original section of tracks,” BART officials said.
Multiple legacy trains will run for the event, and all will make station stops and may turn around at Bay Fair depending on the number of attendees waiting to ride. Regular fares will apply.
“These train cars are part of the history of the Bay Area,” said Bob Powers, BART general manager. “While we are excited to modernize the system, we recognize the profound cultural importance of these cars, and we want to celebrate their rich history and give them a proper send off.”
BART is now running train cars from its Fleet of the Future project.
Those nostalgic for the older trains will be able to view three of them soon at Western Railway Museum in Suisun City.
A handful of other legacy cars will be transferred to be repurposed for short-term rentals, entertainment venues, and training facilities, according to BART. Most of the legacy cars have been recycled.
Bay Area
Mind, Body, and Spiritual Well-Being for Women Addressed in NAACP Forum in Oakland
The Women In The NAACP Oakland Branch is proud to announce the upcoming “Total You – Mind, Body, and Spirit Women’s Health Forum” scheduled for April 27 at Acts Full Gospel Church. Running from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at 1034 66th Ave., this forum aims to provide an empowering platform for women to engage in discussions, gain knowledge, and access resources pertaining to their health and well-being.
Special to The Post
The Women In The NAACP Oakland Branch is proud to announce the upcoming “Total You – Mind, Body, and Spirit Women’s Health Forum” scheduled for April 27 at Acts Full Gospel Church.
Running from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at 1034 66th Ave., this forum aims to provide an empowering platform for women to engage in discussions, gain knowledge, and access resources pertaining to their health and well-being.
The forum will feature renowned experts, healthcare professionals, and advocates from Genentech, John Muir Health, Sutter Health of The East Bay, Kaiser Permanente, and the Alameda County Public Health Department.
Our expert panel will address various aspects of women’s health, including physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and healthy relationships. The forum will encompass a wide range of topics such as breast cancer, menopause, reproductive health, nutrition, mental health awareness, preventive care, and much more.
Participants will have the opportunity to attend informative sessions, interactive workshops, and panel discussions led by experts in their respective fields. Additionally, there will be wellness activities, screenings, and informational booths offering valuable resources and support.
This forum is open to women of all ages and backgrounds, encouraging inclusivity and diversity in the conversation surrounding women’s health. Whether you’re seeking information for yourself, a loved one, or simply looking to connect with other women, this event promises to be enlightening and empowering.
For more information and to register for the Total You Women’s Health Forum, please visit https://www.naacpoakland.org/ or contact Dr. Delores Thompson. WIN chairwoman at (510) 328-3638.
The Women In The NAACP Oakland Branch is dedicated to empowering women, and young teen girls. We look forward to your participation in this important event.
To register, go to https://www.naacpoakland.org/events/the-total-you-womens-health-forum
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