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Unlock Equity & Income with an Accessory Dwelling Unit.
The Keys To Equity Program provides design, permitting, construction, and financing services to Oakland homeowners that would like to build an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) on their property. Complete our interest form to find out if you’re eligible.
Open enrollment is from May 2nd through July 5th, 2022.
Open enrollment is from May 2nd through July 5th, 2022.
What is an Accessory Dwelling Unit?
An Accessory Dwelling Unit or ADU is a residential unit that can be added to an existing home, whether in the form of a garage, a freestanding cottage, or a part of the main house that has been converted into an additional unit.
The program is intended to support both the creation of new ADUs, as well as the renovation and legalization of existing unpermitted ADUs. The feasibility of ADU projects will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
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What can an ADU
be used for?
Housing
Creates additional units and provides housing for friends, family, or members of the local community.
Income
It can provide monthly rental income and add value to your property.
Flexibility
The property owner can live in the ADU and rent out the main house or vice versa.
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City of Oakland homeowners
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Homeowners who occupy their property
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Properties that can accommodate an ADU
City of Oakland homeowners
Homeowners who occupy their property
Properties that can accommodate an ADU
Open enrollment is from May 2nd through July 5th, 2022.
Program Overview
Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services (RNHS) is excited to assist you in exploring an opportunity to build an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) on your property. The program is intended to support both the creation of new ADUs, as well as the renovation and legalization of existing unpermitted ADUs.
Keys to Equity was developed in collaboration with Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services (RNHS), Self-Help Federal Credit Union (Self-Help), the WellNest Company, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), the City of Oakland, and the San Francisco Foundation (SFF) to help simplify and streamline the process for constructing ADUs.
The program provides one-on-one guidance through the development process and a suite of benefits for eligible homeowners, including ADU architectural designs, analysis of your finances and assistance obtaining a loan, access to a customized financial product, and construction services.
This program is intended to create more housing in areas that are at-risk of greater displacement and expand access to wealth-building for homeowners, with a focus on Black homeowners and those who have been disproportionately impacted by systemic racial and economic inequities within the housing system.
This program is intended to increase access for communities of color that have had a history of redlining and wealth-stripping, with a focus on assisting Black homeowners in Oakland.
Education
Customized learning modules and counseling to understand construction management, financing options, and landlord responsibilities.
Financial Counseling and Lending
Analysis of your finances and assistance obtaining a loan, with access to a customized ADU financing product.
Project Management
Access to a program coordinator to assist in the design, permitting, construction, and tenanting process for your ADU.
Design and Construction
Access to selected ADU architectural designs and affordable construction services.
Education
Customized learning modules and counseling to understand construction management, financing options, and landlord responsibilities.
Financial Counseling and Lending
Analysis of your finances and assistance obtaining a loan, with access to a customized ADU financing product.
Project Management
Access to a program coordinator to assist in the design, permitting, construction, and tenanting process for your ADU.
Design and Construction
Access to selected ADU architectural designs and affordable construction services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Keys to Equity, which was developed in partnership with Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services (RNHS), Self-Help Federal Credit Union (Self-Help), The WellNest Company, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), the City of Oakland, and the San Francisco Foundation (SFF), is a new program in Oakland that streamlines and simplifies the process for constructing an ADU on your property.
The program is currently designed to assist homeowners with a single family home who live in the City of Oakland. The property must be homeowner-occupied.
The Deadline for submission: December 3rd, 2021 11:59 PM has ended.
We will be accepting more interest forms in 2022.
Please contact us with any questions.
ADUs are secondary residential units that share a lot with a larger, primary home — whether in the form of a free-standing backyard home, a converted garage, an expansion to the existing house, or a part of the main house that has been converted into an additional unit.
This program can help with the construction of a new ADU, as well as the renovation and legalization of existing unpermitted ADUs.
- Byrd – starting at $168,000
- Lowe – starting at $188,000
- Miller – starting at $235,000
The cost estimate includes pricing for: design, construction, all utility hook-ups, fixtures, finishes such as countertops, and flooring. It excludes any type of furniture for the ADU, as well as pre-development costs. Qualifying homeowners with limited savings may receive financial support for upfront pre-development costs, which is repayable after financing is secured by the homeowner for their respective projects.
The program lender SHFCU will required that you are on tile for 12 months.
The program lender SHFCU will require that your discharge is over a period of 12 months minimum to get financed.
Keys to Equity, which was developed in partnership with Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services (RNHS), Self-Help Federal Credit Union (Self-Help), The WellNest Company, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), the City of Oakland, and the San Francisco Foundation (SFF), is a new program in Oakland that streamlines and simplifies the process for constructing an ADU on your property.
The program is currently designed to assist homeowners with a single family home who live in the City of Oakland. The property must be homeowner-occupied.
The Deadline for submission: December 3rd, 2021 11:59 PM has ended.
We will be accepting more interest forms in 2022.
Please contact us with any questions.
ADUs are secondary residential units that share a lot with a larger, primary home — whether in the form of a free-standing backyard home, a converted garage, an expansion to the existing house, or a part of the main house that has been converted into an additional unit.
This program can help with the construction of a new ADU, as well as the renovation and legalization of existing unpermitted ADUs.
- Byrd – starting at $168,000
- Lowe – starting at $188,000
- Miller – starting at $235,000
The cost estimate includes pricing for: design, construction, all utility hook-ups, fixtures, finishes such as countertops, and flooring. It excludes any type of furniture for the ADU, as well as pre-development costs. Qualifying homeowners with limited savings may receive financial support for upfront pre-development costs, which is repayable after financing is secured by the homeowner for their respective projects.
The program lender SHFCU will required that you are on tile for 12 months.
The program lender SHFCU will require that your discharge is over a period of 12 months minimum to get financed.
The Keys to Equity Program is Brought to You by Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services.
Since our founding in 1981 by a dedicated group of low-income residents, Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services (RNHS) has worked to reverse the adverse effects of systemic segregation, redlining, disinvestment, and blight.
Throughout its history, RNHS has served over 10,000 families to increase access for communities of color across the East Bay.
Our mission is to promote investment in and revitalization of under-resourced communities in the East Bay.
Through the combined efforts of local residents and businesses, financial institutions and government, RNHS works to overcome homelessness and the displacement of low-income residents, and provide the tools for low-income households and people of color to achieve financial equity.
Our mission is to promote investment in and revitalization of under-resourced communities in the East Bay.
Our work is rooted in the belief that the affordable housing conversation does not stop at renting: we promote and support community members to explore the feasibility of homeownership.
Our Program Partners
Contact Us
If you have more questions, email us at keystoequity@eastbaynhs.org.
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