The California Hotel in Oakland, an iconic structure within the East Bay, has faced a troubling transformation over the years.
Known for its substantial rooftop sign, the century-old hotel stands prominently over Interstate 580, witnessed by approximately 160,000 drivers on a daily basis.
It is celebrated for its Spanish colonial revival architecture and remembered as a historic center for Black music, hosting legendary performances from artists like James Brown and Billie Holiday after World War II.
However, this rich legacy offers little consolation to the 135 low-income residents now residing in the building, whose rent is publicly subsidized.
Many of these tenants express a strong desire to leave, illustrating the stark contrast between the hotel’s storied past and the current living conditions.
“I don’t have any place else to go, but I wish I could move somewhere else,” shared Earl Fleming, 84, describing his small studio apartment as a “box.”
Hannah Flanery, an attorney with the East Bay Community Law Center, reported that nearly every tenant she has spoken with longs for a way out of the facility.
The California Hotel underwent a $43 million renovation in 2014, aiming to provide stable housing for some of the East Bay’s most vulnerable populations, including the elderly and those grappling with addiction.
Managed by the East Bay Asian Local Development Corp. (EBALDC), a sizable nonprofit organization, the hotel was intended to serve as a safe haven for individuals who might otherwise face homelessness.
Despite the hotel’s ambitious redesign and intentions, its current residents have voiced deep dissatisfaction.
Many report conditions of mismanagement, neglect, and filth, with numerous complaints seemingly ignored by management.
Tenants often survive on limited government assistance, underscoring the precarious circumstances in which they find themselves.
Jeff Levin, a senior policy director at East Bay Housing Organizations, described facilities like the California Hotel as essential to the housing infrastructure, serving as the last resort for many.
Yet, the significant challenges presented by the hotel’s diverse population complicate efforts to maintain safe and clean living environments.
Yolanda Washington, 56, who had a turbulent past marked by homelessness, addiction, and incarceration before moving into the hotel in 2018, reflects conflicting emotions about her circumstances.
Her daughter, Tonika Allen, remarked, “If this does not pan out for her, she will end up homeless.”
However, conditions within the hotel have become increasingly dire, with issues like overflowing trash collection rooms, breeding grounds for insects, and broken elevators becoming commonplace.
“There’s no one to help clean. I had to do it myself for months,” Washington explained about the trash situation, illustrating the lack of management support.
In addition to the unsanitary conditions, the elevators frequently break down, isolating residents who may have mobility issues.
“A lot of residents treat the working elevator like a bathroom,” claimed one tenant, highlighting the extent of the problem.
Disturbing stories of fires caused by negligence, instances of violence, and ongoing police responses paint a stark picture of life within the California Hotel.
The lack of adequate support services has forced residents to navigate their challenges with limited assistance, often leading to further complications in their lives.
With reports of assaults and other crimes occurring on the premises, concerns for safety have become a pressing issue among the tenants.
Recently, management notified several residents, including Washington and Fleming, claiming they owed back rent, which both deny having accrued.
Fleming, who is actively sorting through receipts to prove his timely payments, expressed determination not to be treated unfairly.
“I’m not going to let any person do me any kind of way,” he declared.
As conditions continue to deteriorate, the legacy of the California Hotel stands in stark contrast to the reality faced by its residents today.
While the unplayed pianos in the lobby may echo memories of its vibrant past, the current occupants of the hotel seek answers and solutions to their ongoing struggles, hoping for the possibility of a brighter future away from the building they currently call home.
image source from：https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/06/01/oaklands-iconic-california-hotel-vital-housing-for-the-formerly-homeless-is-in-turmoil/
