A troubled Section 8 property in an urban setting. New Head Start center. New Neighborhood Network.

City Towers Apartments is a 231-unit HUD Section 8 property comprised of three 12-story towers located just outside of downtown Oakland. The previous owner had been in litigation with HUD for several years and the property was neglected and in need of renovation. KDF purchased the property in 2004 and performed a $4.5 million rehab.

The City of Oakland wanted greater focus brought to the property in the form of more intensive management and enhanced resident services. KDF built a new Head Start center at the property, which is leased to the City for $1 per year. We also created a Neighborhood Network, which is a computer center where kids can do their homework, and residents can prepare resumes and access other social services. Our non-profit partner Project Access staffs the computer center and provides art classes, homework club, and “Cook Your Snack” cooking classes for kids, along with more extensive computer classes for adults and youths.