SF Gate: Mayor Announces Incentives For More Low-Income Housing Units

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and Oakland Housing Authority officials today announced new financial incentives for property owners to accept low-income families as renters and help ease the city’s affordable housing crisis. Speaking at a news conference at the OHA’s headquarters in downtown Oakland, Schaaf said the incentives, which haven’t previously been offered anywhere in the U.S., are “a win-win solution” for property owners and low-income tenants who participate in the federal Section 8 housing choice voucher program. Schaaf said the new “Housing Oakland” program gives property owners who sign a contract with OHA and allow a Section 8 family to move in a $500 cash signing bonus and up to $2,500 in interest-free loans for repairs and upgrades. She said the program provides current Section 8 property owners up to two months of paid rent after low-income tenants move out as an incentive to maintain the unit as Section 8 housing. “Our city needs more affordable housing for families right now,” Schaaf said. “Every unit counts, every family matters, and I know every Oaklander wants to help.” The new incentives are part of an ongoing strategy by the city to protect affordable housing in Oakland amid the cost of living crisis, according to Schaaf.