Leaders from the City of Oakland and Mercy Housing California celebrate the groundbreaking of The Eliza, transforming excess land into much‑needed affordable housing with on‑site supportive services for seniors

Mercy Housing California, together with the City of Oakland, local and federal leaders, and development partners, celebrated the groundbreaking of The Eliza, a new affordable housing community that will bring 96 homes for seniors to Oakland. The development replaces a former surface parking lot adjacent to Mercy Housing California’s Hamilton Apartments, transforming underutilized land into urgently needed housing. The Eliza will be located at 2125 Telegraph Avenue in Oakland’s District 3.

As housing costs continue to rise throughout Northern California, low‑income seniors are increasingly at risk of displacement and homelessness. Nearly half of all people over 50 who are homeless first became homeless after turning 50, underscoring the urgent need for solutions tailored to older adults. The Eliza will provide 96 affordable rental apartments for seniors age 62 and older, along with one on‑site manager’s unit.

Helping seniors thrive in their community

The Eliza is designed to help seniors remain housed and thrive in their community. Future residents will not only gain a high‑quality, affordable place to call home, but will also have access to ongoing on‑site resident services provided by Mercy Housing California, including support from a dedicated Resident Services Coordinator.

Twenty of the apartments will be reserved for seniors exiting homelessness. LifeLong Medical Care will oversee case management services for these residents, ensuring individualized support for health, wellness, and long‑term stability.

The Eliza is being developed on land owned by Mercy Housing California, making it a rare example of affordable housing built on excess nonprofit‑owned property. The project is supported by the federal HUD Section 202 program, which expands affordable housing options for low‑income seniors by funding communities that provide safe, stable homes paired with resident services that help seniors age independently.

Councilmember Carol Fife attended the milestone celebration and shared her excitement and gratitude for the project underway: “I am thrilled that this critical and long-awaited project is finally breaking ground. Increasing permanent supportive housing for vulnerable populations in our city continues to be a high priority, and with this project, we will see the development of 96 additional affordable units. It is especially important that residents of The Eliza will be provided with supportive services to ensure they remain housed. Thank you to all involved in making this a reality.”

Leading nonprofit affordable housing developer Mercy Housing California is the state’s most experienced owner and operator of service‑enriched housing for independent seniors. The organization has developed and manages more than 170 affordable communities serving families, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities statewide, including more than 70 in the Bay Area. The Eliza builds on this legacy as Mercy Housing California’s third affordable housing community in Oakland.

“Every senior deserves a high‑quality, affordable place to call home,” said Tiffany Bohee, President of Mercy Housing California. “This groundbreaking is a pivotal moment made possible by our incredible public, private, and philanthropic partners, whose commitment and financial support brought us to this day. By pairing affordable housing with onsite services, The Eliza will help Oakland’s seniors age in place in the city they’ve helped shape — and we’re excited to welcome residents home when doors open in 2027.” Construction is currently underway, with major structural work beginning later this year.

Aging in place with dignity and respect

The Eliza is made possible through a robust public–private financing partnership that brings together local, state, federal, philanthropic, and private capital to address Oakland’s growing need for affordable senior housing. This collaborative effort includes critical support from both JPMorgan Chase and Enterprise Community Partners—two long‑time champions of equitable community development whose investments help ensure the long‑term stability and success of the project.

“We’re proud to support The Eliza, which combines affordable housing and transit accessibility to help seniors thrive in Oakland,” said James Vossoughi, Executive Director, J.P. Morgan Community Development Banking. “This development empowers older adults, including those who have experienced homelessness, to live connected and independent lives in the heart of the town.”

Building on this commitment from the project’s financial partners, Enterprise Community Partners emphasized the importance of investing in deeply affordable homes for aging Oakland residents.

“Enterprise is proud to invest with Mercy in The Eliza to add these deeply affordable and service‑enriched homes for seniors in Oakland,” said Philip Porter, Senior Vice President, Head of Acquisitions at Enterprise Community Partners.

Designed by Gensler Architects and constructed by Cahill Contractors, The Eliza demonstrates how thoughtful design can support housing solutions in dense urban environments. The seven‑story building will deliver 97 homes on just 0.2 acres, contributing to positive urban density while fitting seamlessly into the surrounding neighborhood.

Once complete, The Eliza will include:

• 96 studio apartments for seniors, plus one manager’s unit
• 20 permanent supportive housing units for seniors exiting homelessness
• On‑site property management and resident services offices
• Supportive services provided by LifeLong Medical Care
• Community amenities will include:
• Outdoor courtyard
• Community room
• On‑site laundry facilities
• Residential bike parking

On‑site property management and resident services will be provided by Mercy Housing California.

Construction is expected to be 100% complete in September 2027, with full lease‑up anticipated by March 2028.

Financing Partners

The Eliza is made possible through financing and support from:

• California Tax Credit Allocation Committee / California Debt Limit Allocation Committee
• City of Oakland Department of Housing and Community Development
• JPMorgan Chase
• Enterprise Community Partners
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Bettye Poetz Ferguson Foundation