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Where can I get information on Section 8
or Public housing?

Public Housing and Section 8 Housing Programs are managed by the Oakland Housing Authority (OHA) - a separate entity from the City of Oakland. Contact OHA.

Is there any affordable housing being built in Oakland?

Yes.  There are many rental and ownership projects in various stages from planning to construction to available for lease or rent. See our list of Projects Underway in the Housing Projects section of this site.

How can I find affordable housing in Oakland? 

Housing and Community Development does not maintain a list of vacant or available properties, but we do have suggestions for finding afforable housing. See our section on Finding Affordable Housing, which includes a list of all assisted rental housing developments in Oakland.

How do I know when new affordable housing becomes available?

How do I get on a waiting list?

To learn more about affordable housing currently being developed or planned in the City of Oakland, see our list of Projects Underway.  Contact the Developers for availability information and waiting lists.

How can I get more information about a specific property or address?

For information see our search owner page. Property information is managed by the Alameda County Assessor's Office.

How can I buy tax-delinquent properties?

For information about tax-delinquent properties, contact the Alameda County Assessor.

Does the City keep a list of boarded-up or blighted property?

For more information, see the Blighted Property page on this website.

I heard the city has homes for $1. Is this true?

No. Many years ago, the City of Oakland did have a program that offered houses for $1 as part of an initiative from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, but this program was discontinued in 1980.

Does the city own any land I can buy and build on? 

No. The City does not maintain a list of properties for sale. However, there are several resources which may help you find available property in Oakland. Check out our local properties page for more information on land and housing development opportunities in Oakland.

I have questions about historic buildings / neighborhoods.

How can I find out more about sustainable development?

Contact CEDA's Planning and Zoning Division's
Sustainable Development Program

Who do I speak to about planning and zoning regulations?

Who do I speak to about building codes?

For Homebuyers

Does the city have money to help me buy a house?

The City of Oakland offers a few programs for qualified homebuyers. See our Homebuyer Loans and Grant Programs page.

Also see counseling and services for more homebuyer information.

See our Homebuyer Loans and Grant Programs page

See our list of Projects Underway to see where new affordable ownership housing is being built. You will need to contact the developer directly to find out when the homes will be available.

Also see counseling and services for more homebuyer information.

I heard I can buy a $1 house from the City of Oakland.  Is this true?

No. Many years ago, the City of Oakland did have a program that offered houses for $1 as part of a HUD initiative, but this program stopped in 1980.

I am buying a house. How do I get the best home loan possible?

How do I make sure I don't get tricked or cheated?

Many local and national organizations offer financial advice and homebuyer counseling that can help you identify fair deals. See our Counseling page for more information and contact information for these organizations.

High interest rates and other unfair lending practices are called Predatory Lending. Read more about your rights and Oakland's laws against these practices on our Predatory Lending page.

Can I get money to repair or paint my own home?

Oakland has several programs to assist senior, disabled and low and moderate income homeowners with repair and rehabilitation of their homes. See our repair/rehab page for more information.

Can I get money to repair or paint my rental units?

Oakland can assist rental property owners to make their units accessible to disabled persons. See our repair/rehab page for more information.

Can the city help me pay my rent?

The City does provide assistance to affordable housing developers. See our loans and grants for developers page.

I am looking for land in Oakland to develop affordable housing. Does this City have a list of its properties for sale?

The City does not maintain a list of properties for sale. However, there are several resources which may help you find available property in Oakland. Take a look at these resources on our local properties page.

Information about the annual NOFA (Notice of Funding Available) for housing development funds is posted on the loans and grants for housing development page.

If you are having trouble making mortgage payments, read our counseling page.

If you are being forced out of your home, read our relocation page.

I feel I may have been a victim of housing discrimination.  Who do I talk to?

Several local resources exist to help you. See our fair housing page for more information.

I have questions about a lien on my property.

A lien is put on your property for failure to pay city taxes or fines. Contact the Alameda County Assessor's office for more information.

I am being forced to move from my home/ relocate. What are my rights?

Read our page on relocation for more information about your rights and available services.

I think my housing is not safe / not up to code / substandard.

To determine whether a property is up to standard (code) contact Code Compliance within CEDA's Building Services Division.

If you are having trouble making mortgage payments, read our counseling page.

How do I get help with my credit rating / bad credit / finances?

For financial advice, read our counseling page.

I need information about housing for people with HIV/AIDS.

For more information about housing for people with AIDS, see our Special Needs/AIDS housing page within the Hunger and Homelessness section.

No, but the City of Oakland works with an organization called ECHO, that helps people who have fallen behind in rent or need money for a first and last month's deposit. See the Rental Assistance Program for more information.

I think my landlord increased my rent too much.  How do I contest/fight a rent increase?

For information about how much rent is too much, see the Rent Ordinance page.

I need information about my rights as a renter/tenant.

See our Tenant Information page.

For legal services regarding disputes see our rent dispute page.

For other legal services regarding landlord/tenant information see our Tenant/Landlord Resource page.

How much can rents be raised per year?

For information about the allowable rent increase, see our Rent Ordinance page.

I think my rental unit is not safe / not up to code / substandard.

To determine whether a property is up to standard (code) contact Code Compliance within CEDA's Building Services Division.

Do I have to pay this $30 fee?

See our service fee page within our Rent Adjustment Board section.

How do I respond to a tenant who protested their rent increase?

For information about how to respond to a tenant contesting a rent increase, see our Landlord Information page.

See our Landlord Information Page.

Where can I find a shelter tonight?

See our shelters page for a list of shelters and referral phone numbers.

List of emergency shelters in Oakland

See our shelters page for a list of shelters and referral phone numbers.

If you are having trouble making mortgage payments, read our counseling page.

If you are being moved out of your home because of safety/code violations, a City construction project or other reason, see our relocation page for help.

How can I open a homeless shelter?

See our information on our non-profits page.

How do I report a homeless encampment?  What do you do once an encampment has been reported?

See our homeless encampments page for more information.

How do I find out about transitional housing for the homeless?

See our transitional housing page for more information.

Where do I go for emergency food?

See our food programs page for more information.

Where is a Thanksgiving dinner served for the poor and homeless?

See our homelessness and hunger events page for more information.

Do you have information about the Task Force on Homelessness ?

See the Task Force on Homelessness Staff Report.

How do I apply for CDBG funding?

See our CDBG application process page.

How do I know if my organization is eligible for funding?

See our CDBG application process page.

For a quick breakdown of project types, see our CDBG overview page.

For a more detailed list of projects funded, see our successfully funded projects page.

When is the next CDBG district meeting?  When is the next City Council district meeting?

See the district information page.

For information about your district Councilmember, see the City Council page on the front page of Oaklandnet.com.

How do I get involved with district boards?

Contact the district coordinator listed on our CDBG district information page.

Other than CDBG, what resources are available for community development in Oakland?

See our community development resources page.

How do I get assistance starting my new nonprofit for affordable housing?

See our nonprofit resources page.

I have a problem in my neighborhood.  Where can I get help?

Call the Oaklanders Assistance Center at their CITYLINE: 444-CITY.  Find out which department handles any problem -- from tree trimming to potholes to drug dealing.  The Oaklander Assistance Center can help you find the department you need.

Contact CEDA's Planning and Zoning Division, Oakland Cultural Heritage Survey

Housing, Needs, Goals and Accomplishments (Consolidated Plan, Housing Element)

Oakland Housing Data

Oakland Demographic Data (including Census data)

Can you give me information about the affordable housing task force?

See the housing task force report to City Council on the special reports page in the Policies and Reports section.

Contact Planning and Zoning Division's
Sustainable Development Program