OHA members stand with Director Patricia Wells to receive their commendations.

Oakland Housing Authority (OHA) Supports Families and Builds City Capacity After 1770 Broadway Fire

February 24, 2026

Compassion, flexibility, and teamwork helped seven OHA-assisted households avoid homelessness

When a fire broke out at 1770 Broadway on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 19, 2026, about 40 households were forced to leave their homes. Seven of those households receive rental assistance from the Oakland Housing Authority (OHA), and within hours of learning about the fire, OHA staff stepped in to help. 

Residents were taken to an emergency shelter at Willie Keys Recreation Center. Many had left their homes with nothing.

“People were scared. They didn’t know what would happen next,” said Dominica Henderson, Chief Social Impact Officer for OHA. “Our team showed up with compassion and urgency. We weren’t going to let them fall into homelessness.”

Within two days, all OHA-assisted households were moved from the shelter to temporary housing, with support from partners such as Bay Area Community Services (BACS) and Tzu Chi Oakland.

OHA also provided grocery gift cards, transportation support, and emergency funds for clothing and personal items. Transportation included rides to and from the shelter and hotel, as well as transit cards to help families get around.

One resident has already moved into permanent housing and two are preparing to move in next week.

This response underscored an important truth: every person who receives OHA assistance needs it. Without rental subsidy and rapid action, these families would have faced an uncertain and potentially devastating outcome.OHA was pulled into the City’s emergency response quickly thanks to the leadership of Emily Weinstein, Director of Housing & Community Development for the City of Oakland, and Deputy Director Hugo Ramirez. Their collaboration ensured that OHA could immediately support affected residents.

OHA’s Moving to Work (MTW) designation allows the agency to act with flexibility during emergencies. Staff from across the organization diverted resources, coordinated placements, and stepped in wherever needed.

While helping displaced residents, OHA team members also supported the City’s emergency operations and assisted with supply delivery for Oakland’s annual Point-in-Time Count. Staff who were originally scheduled for other duties stepped up to relieve City teams so they could focus on shelter operations. It was truly an all-hands-on-deck effort.

Executive Director Patricia Wells formally recognized the following staff members for their support at the Feb. 23, 2026, Board of Commissioners meeting:

  • Dominica Henderson
  • Trevor Auser
  • Teela Carpenter
  • Roneka “Miss Tate” Tate
  • Ashley Gant
  • Omar Ronquillo
  • Patricia Murphy
  • Faustina Mututa
  • Mark Schiferl
  • Zelesky “Les” Nelson
  • Jermaine Miller
  • Nancy Orona

“In moments like this, our mission becomes real,” said Wells. “Housing is stability. Housing is dignity. And because of this team, our families remained housed during a crisis.”

In times of chaos, OHA does more than respond. 

It shows up. It acts. And it protects housing stability for Oakland families.