Home & Garden Columns

The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials announced this week that the Oakland Housing Agency has won a national award for its Mandela Gateway Mixed-Use Housing Development. 

“This is the first time that the Oakland Housing Authority has won a national award of this type and we are proud that the project has been recognized as a prototype for urban revitalization,” Oakland Housing Authority Executive Director of Property Operations Sharon Coffy said. “This is a big step in the continued revitalization of West Oakland.” 

The project is one of 24 honored by the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials this year for improving living conditions in their communities. 

The redevelopment of Mandela Gateway began in October 2004 and was completed in March 2005. The development is now home to 168 families. 

The $51.5 million project combines a $10.1 million HOPE VI grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development with $34.6 million raised through a tax credit equity program. 

The project replaces what was once a distressed public housing unit with a mixed-use, mixed-income housing development that includes 168 units, a town square, green space, playgrounds and retail space, according to NAHRO. 

It consists of rental flats and townhouses and was developed with “green” principals in mind, such as using recycled construction materials and installing energy-efficient lighting and water systems. 

Mandela Gateway is also considered a “transit-oriented” development in that it was built within easy access to the West Oakland Bay Area Rapid Transit Station. 

NAHRO is a membership organization of housing and redevelopment agencies and professionals whose mission is to create affordable housing and safe communities. Representatives from the Oakland Housing Authority will accept the NAHRO award in a ceremony to take place Tuesday in Atlanta, Ga.