The California Hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is owned by the East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC) and is currently under construction, while partially occupied, to convert the property and reconfigure the units to create permanent supportive housing for 135 households. The new design provides vast unit and building upgrades, as well as energy efficient improvements. Twenty five percent of units are reserved for people who are homeless and have special needs. Significant services will be available on site. Program-specific rooms are available on each floor, and People’s Grocery operates a large community garden in the back of the property. Construction will be complete in December 2013.
Bonnewit Development Services played a key role in conceptualizing the project. Once a funding commitment was secured from the City of Oakland, Ms. Bonnewit provided extra project management support and capacity building services until the construction loan closed. Ms. Bonnewit’s current focus is on securing funding for services and providing project management on an as-needed basis.