San Jose Mercury News: Moms 4 Housing Home Sells, Will Become Homeless Housing
Nearly a year after Moms 4 Housing became a national sensation by squatting in an empty West Oakland home, the group on Friday announced another victory: That house will soon become the first of many that members hope to turn into housing for homeless mothers.
After months of negotiations with corporate owner Wedgewood, Oakland Community Land Trust bought the Magnolia Street house for $587,500. Now, Moms 4 Housing intends to turn it into a transitional home where mothers can stay while looking for jobs, getting their credit in order and finding permanent housing.
The home also will serve as a center for Moms 4 Housing’s next project. In partnership with the Alameda Labor Council and the Rising Sun Center for Opportunity, the group intends to train unhoused mothers in contracting work and then employ them to renovate other vacant homes to create additional affordable housing.
On Friday, Walker and Moms 4 Housing member Carroll Fife, who is running for the Oakland City Council District 3 seat, signed a symbolic deed on the front step signifying that the house is returning to the community. Since squatting in the Magnolia Street house with her children, Walker has found stable housing in Berkeley through another land trust.