Notes from the Mayor's Desk: September Wrap Up

Housing & Homelessness Solutions 

Stand Together Fund: We stood with regional leaders and the San Francisco Foundation to launch the Stand Together Bay Area Fund, a $10 million effort to support immigrant families facing the fear of deportations and raids. By pooling resources with partners across the Bay Area, this fund will help keep families housed, put food on the table, and send a clear message that Oakland and our region will always stand with our immigrant neighbors. 

Maya Motel Transformation: The City secured $7.1 million in California Homekey+ funds to convert the Maya Motel on Telegraph Avenue into 23 permanent studio apartments with wraparound services from Operation Dignity, marking our tenth successful application and part of over $105.5 million invested to create nearly 490 supportive housing units since 2020.

Streamlined Housing Approvals: Our administration launched a faster housing approval process in August 2025 that allows single-family homes and small apartment buildings (1-30 units) to skip lengthy public hearings and environmental reviews, cutting approval times to help build more housing faster. 

Fighting for Oakland in D.C.: Councilmember Ramachandran and I were in our nation's capital meeting with federal legislators who care about Oakland, advocating for critical funding to keep our neighborhoods safe, build affordable housing, improve infrastructure, and invest in our communities - because Oakland deserves every resource to thrive. 

 
E-Bike Lending Program: We launched a new electric bike lending program at the Fruitvale BART Bike Station, making clean transportation accessible to residents who need it most. For just $120 for a four-week rental—or $20 for low-income residents—Oaklanders age 18 and over can experience the convenience of e-bikes without the barrier of a $2,000+ purchase price. Funded by a $1.8 million, five-year grant from the California Air Resources Board's Clean Mobility Options program, this initiative centers accessibility in the heart of Fruitvale and sends a clear message that Oakland is committed to becoming the cleanest, safest, greenest city in America while ensuring equitable access to sustainable transportation for all our residents.

Public Safety & Community Programs 

Public Safety Leadership: Together with City Council and OPD leadership, we invested in five new police academies and authorized 678 officers, with the goal of reaching 700 under Measure NN. We also restored specialized enforcement units and supported new details focused on sideshows and human trafficking. After burglaries in Chinatown and Little Saigon, we partnered with business owners, banks, and community leaders alongside OPD to strengthen safety coordination and rebuild trust. Public safety has always been my top priority, and I am doing the work to deliver results for Oakland. 

Golden State Works Grant: We worked with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and Caltrans to launch the Golden State Works Program, a $12.4 million effort that provided employment for Oaklanders on parole while helping to clean and beautify our city. By partnering with the Center for Employment Opportunities and community leaders, we gave residents a fresh start, strengthened our neighborhoods, and showed what’s possible when we invest in people who are rebuilding their lives.

Fire Station 10 Reopening: After nearly three years of renovations, Fire Station 10 returned to service, restoring emergency response capacity for the Santa Clara Avenue corridor. Working with City Council, Fire Chief Damon Covington, Director Josh Rowan and Public Works, and our dedicated firefighters, we restored this historic station, modernized its facilities, and brought Engine 10 back into service to ensure faster, more reliable emergency response for the community. 

Permit Reform: We worked together to overhaul Oakland’s permitting system so that opening or improving a business is simpler and faster. With $3 million in city funding, we expanded by-right uses downtown, launched same-day processing for most building permits, and made it possible to submit common applications online - because City Hall should be a partner, not a roadblock, for Oaklanders building their future. 

Charter Reform & Governance 

Charter Reform Working Group: We brought together the Charter Reform Working Group to take a hard look at Oakland’s governance structure and recommend reforms for the future. Co-facilitated by the League of Women Voters Oakland and SPUR, the group included experts in law, labor, ethics, and business working side by side to chart a stronger path for our city.  

Defending Oakland 

Trump Response press conference: When Donald Trump tried to use Oakland as a political punching bag, we stood together and pushed back against his lies and threats. I’ve stood up to him before in Congress and I will continue to stand firm as your Mayor, working with our legal team, state, and local allies to protect Oakland’s people and defend our democracy. 

Innovation & Economic Development 

Inclusive Technology Partnerships: Oakland secured over $2.5 million in cross-sector investment, including $2.14 million from the Kapor Foundation for inclusive technology and STEAM education. The One Oakland Fund launched with $650,000 in seed capital, alongside a new grants management division.

Super Bowl & World Cup Partnerships: Oakland partnered with the Bay Area Host Committee to prepare for the Super Bowl and FIFA World Cup, generating economic opportunities for local businesses and workers.