Casa Velasco
Oakland, California

Conversion of an old 1920 three-story, 18,000 sf telephone company building to a five-story, 27,000 sf building.

$2,900,000 conversion budget.

Fifteen studios and five single-bedroom apartments for low income senior singles and couples.

Extensive common facilities (on the roof) serve to give seniors a common and neutral place to get to know each other and to have meetings of mutual concern and activities of mutual interest.

Community organizing at move in played a large role in the success of this "project" becoming a community and not just housing.

Completed Winter 2004