Oakland Homeless Apartment Complex Remains Closed Months After Completion

Prospective tenants still without housing as developers work to resolve construction disputes.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The 101-unit Phoenix Apartments in West Oakland, a new affordable housing complex for homeless and low-income residents, was completed in 2025 but has yet to open its doors months later. Some prospective tenants who were previously living in shelters have been left without housing, while others have been cut off from assistance because they are officially listed as "permanently housed" at the still-vacant Phoenix. Developers and city officials have provided few details on the cause of the delay, though one contractor cited a dispute over unpaid bills as a major holdup.

Why it matters

The delayed opening of the Phoenix Apartments highlights the ongoing challenges in addressing homelessness in the Bay Area, even when new housing projects are completed. The situation has left vulnerable residents without stable shelter and raises questions about the coordination and accountability of affordable housing development.

The details

The Phoenix Apartments were built with public funding and celebrated at a ribbon-cutting ceremony in November 2025, where Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee touted the project as a "direct solution to homelessness." However, months later the complex remains closed, with a chain-link fence surrounding the property. Prospective tenants like Frank Cruz and Michelle Abbott, who were living in a shelter and accepted as residents, have been left without housing and are now living in their car with their 12-year-old child. Other would-be tenants have been cut off from assistance because they are officially listed as "permanently housed" at the Phoenix, despite it not being open. Developers have provided few details on the cause of the delay, though one anonymous contractor cited an ongoing dispute over unpaid bills as a major factor holding up the final completion of construction.

  • The Phoenix Apartments were completed in 2025.
  • A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in November 2025 to celebrate the project's completion.
  • Prospective tenants were supposed to move in starting in October 2025.
  • Months later, in February 2026, the complex remains closed and vacant.

The players

Barbara Lee

The mayor of Oakland who celebrated the completion of the Phoenix Apartments in 2025.

Frank Cruz

A prospective tenant who was accepted to live at the Phoenix Apartments but is now living in his car with his partner and 12-year-old child.

Michelle Abbott

Frank Cruz's partner, who was also accepted as a prospective tenant at the Phoenix Apartments.

East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation

The nonprofit developer of the Phoenix Apartments.

Abode Services

A partner organization working with the developer on the Phoenix Apartments project.

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What they’re saying

“We're supposed to be housed. This is supposed to be for unhoused individuals and families, and it hasn't happened since the date that it said it was supposed to happen. Now, we're here today, months later, dealing with being in a worse situation than before.”

— Frank Cruz (CBS News Bay Area)

“They accepted funding for us and then, exiting us from our shelter early because nobody can wait for what's going on here. They have to get new people into their place, and we were exited early. And now we are everyday trying to make sure we have a roof over our head, food to eat. And there's no way to get out of homelessness when you're like that.”

— Frank Cruz (CBS News Bay Area)

“We don't know why it's not open. But what we DO know is that it is inhumane to have families living out here in the elements.”

— Patricia Toscano, Housing and Dignity Coalition (CBS News Bay Area)

“Yeah, we were expecting our patients to move in around October. That's what we were told. And it's still not open, or we haven't gotten any word. It's just been a holdup.”

— Acee Dunbar, Outreach Worker (CBS News Bay Area)

What’s next

The developer, East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation, and its partner Abode Services have not provided a timeline for when the Phoenix Apartments will finally open and begin housing residents.

The takeaway

The delayed opening of the Phoenix Apartments underscores the persistent challenges in delivering affordable housing solutions, even when new projects are completed. This situation has left vulnerable residents without stable shelter and raises questions about the coordination and accountability of affordable housing development in the Bay Area.