The East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation is a community economic development organization dedicated to the betterment of the East Bay community, particularly the low-income and Asian and Pacific Islander population, through development of physical, human and economic assets for individuals and community organizations.

Description:
EBALDC builds affordable homes and efficiently manages its properties. EBALDC also helps neighborhoods, historic communities and individuals discover and develop the resources to realize their dreams - of affordable homes and new businesses, of educational opportunities, of fulfilling jobs, and of parks and cultural centers. In cooperation with other agencies and community organizations, we focus local and national resources towards collaborative, innovative strategies to revitalize existing East bay neighborhoods.

History:
In 1975, a visionary group of college students and neighborhood leaders discovered an historic warehouse in Oakland's Chinatown and dreamed of creating a facility to house community agencies, medical services, an art gallery and retail businesses.

To realize and expand upon their idea, they founded a non-profit agency, the East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC). The warehouse became the Asian Resource Center. In the last quarter century, EBALDC developed over six hundred units of affordable housing as well as 190,000 square feet of retail and office space in Oakland and Emeryville. From a modest beginning, our agency has made life better for many thousands of people and has grown to be one of the Bay Area's - and the nation's - most capable and respected community developers.

As the organization has grown and strived to meet the needs of the community, activities have shifted to respond to the changing demographics of the neighborhoods we serve. The people EBALDC serves are now 41% African American, 36% Asian and Pacific Islander, 11% Latino with the remainder being Caucasian, Native American and other ethnicities. The geographic focus of the organization has also expanded to include Contra Costa and Alameda Counties. Services have moved beyond affordable housing to home ownership programs for low-income families, neighborhood economic development programs, advocacy, and an Individual Development Account savings program.

Still, the Bay Area faces intense challenges as the 21st century begins. Our hyper inflationary real estate market is the least affordable in the nation. The median home price in the area is above $450,000 and rising. While this largely results from our booming local economy and the new jobs it creates, housing inflation threatens to disrupt or displace historic East Bay communities and puts the American dream of a decent home beyond the means of hardworking families. It worsens social divides, crowding, sprawl, and traffic congestion. Ironically, it also threatens our economic prosperity when new workers can't afford housing. EBALDC has the expertise, experience, and community trust to pragmatically face these difficult problems head-on.

One thing that hasn't changed since 1975 is EBALDC's core values: our respect for historic buildings and cultures, our belief in the importance of people's visions and in creating the social and economic means to make them come to life.

Contact people:

Frances Rosario, Development Associate, (phone), (email) Deborah Taylor, Development Director, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (510) 763-4143

Address:

310 8th Street Ste 200 Oakland, CA 94607 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.ebaldc.com

Directions:

EBALDC is located in suite 200 of the Asian Resource Center on Harrison street in between 8th and 9th street in Oakland's Chinatown. Entrances to the building are located on both the 8th and 9th street sides. The official. . . (more)   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Lake Merrit,   Walk distance (in minutes): 5   Nearest Bus Stop: AC Transit 50 & 51, 0 minute walk