1. What are the Occupancy and Income Restrictions?

• Have at least one adult member of the household (e.g., at least 18 years old)

• Maximum 2 people per room

• Minimum Household Income: at least 2 x monthly rent\

• Maximum Household Income cannot exceed 80% of Area Median Income:

  1 Person $78,550 // 2 People $89,750

2. What are the other requirements for the application approval? Residents must:

• Have Good Credit History: No active collection accounts or at-fault evictions

• Have a satisfactory Rental Reference

• Live at the property at least ten months out of the year as your permanent, sole residence

• Occupy the property as their sole, permanent residence within 60 days of the lease start date

• Have no ownership interest in any residence, either as an investment or alternate residence

• Have no employment relationship with the property owner or property management company

• Be willing to join the Housing Cooperative and participate in 6-8 hours per month of voluntary work to manage the Co-op.

3. How do I know if I meet the Income Limits? 

Before an applicant is invited to sign a lease, they must provide documentation of all household income, including the following:

• Two most recent bank statements

• Three most recent pay stubs

• Unemployment compensation statements, pensions, financial aid, disability, Social Security, and other forms of periodic non-wage income

• Most recent tax return

• If self-employed, then two most recent tax returns, 1099s and any other relevant documents

• If dependent upon another adult, then the most recent tax return of that other person 

4. How do I apply?

• Interested parties must attend a “BACLT Orientation Session” before they can be given an application. Session provides overview of the community land trust model and opportunity to learn about Newton House and available rooms.

• Applications are accepted on a first come/first eligible, first served basis.

• Applications must be emailed to: vacancy@bayareaclt.org or mailed to BACLT PO Box 2652, Berkeley, CA 94702

• City of Oakland offers preferences to the following applicants: People who have been displaced from rental housing anywhere in Oakland, City of Oakland residents and workers, especially those already living or displaced from this neighborhood.

• Additional preferences are given for applicants who affirm their intent to participate in the Co-op.

5. What is the Bay Area Community Land Trust (BACLT)?

BACLT is a nonprofit whose mission is to create and support permanently affordable, resident-run housing cooperatives (Co-ops) for low- and moderate-income households (<80% AMI) in the Bay Area. BACLT’s program goals are two-fold: 1) to stabilize naturally affordable housing by acquiring, renovating and converting multi-family properties into permanently affordable, Housing Co-ops; and 2) to create and sustain Affordable Housing Co-ops by providing education, training and technical assistance for co-op boards, members and other community members interested in living in a Housing Co-op.

6. What is a Housing Co-operative (Co-op)?

A Housing Cooperative is a property that looks like an apartment building but the residents share ownership of the property without the subdivision of units like in a condominium property. Resident-owners don’t need to get an individual mortgage to buy their unit, but rather they own a “share” in the Cooperative Corporation and an “exclusive right to occupy” their apartment. The price for a Co-op “share” varies across Co-ops. BACLT creates affordable Co-ops in which the resident “share” ranges from $0 to $6,000. Residents pay a monthly fee that equals the monthly budget required to manage the property. The more residents do to self-manage the property, the more money they save by not having to pay professional contractors. Co-ops are also inheritable. As a new, yet to be formed Co-op, BACLT will provide educational sessions throughout the two-year Co-op formation process to the residents of Newton House, as they learn how to become Co-op members and stewards.

7. What rooms are available for move-in Spring 2024?

Two rooms are available, one for $960/month downstairs and $1,025/month upstairs.

Have more questions? Email us at vacancy@bayareaclt.org

Thank you for reading!

Equal Housing Opportunity