This Nonprofit Promised Housing but Left Tenants Homeless Instead

Tenants at 2600 International Boulevard in Fruitvale are demanding continued shelter and financial support after an electrical fire displaced 31 people and killed two dogs.

Their landlord — Abode Services, which bills itself as homeless housing provider — told the tenants that they had until October 11 before they would stop covering their hotels. Tenants now face challenges applying for housing options because the income requirements were not disclosed before they moved in. With no other options, tenants are being forced to pay for hotel stays. Now, some tenants are digging in, claiming their right to stay put, while others are sleeping outside or elsewhere. 

Tenants — who have organized into an association called 2600 Tenants United and affiliated with the tenants’ union Tenant and Neighborhood Councils (TANC) — say that Abode Services neglected to address electrical issues and failed to provide adequate support, especially as most residents were previously unhoused. 

“When I first moved in, I had to reset the breaker just for plugging in the heater,” said Diamond, who had lived at 2600 International Boulevard until the fire. 

After the fire, the tenant's belongings, including the ashes of loved ones, remained at the building. Abode promised to send movers and help tenants recover their belongings, but failed to coordinate with them. The building was later broken into, and tenant possessions were stolen. 

Alexander Starks, who also lived at 2600 International Blvd., is concerned for himself and his neighbors, who are expected to apply for other housing amid their displacement.

“Starting in November, I may not get medical or SSI… I just got my Section 8, I may be homeless forever,” says Starks. “They are being put on waitlists… we don’t know if you’ll even get approved.”

After the fire on August 13th, Abode rehoused the tenants in hotels in remote locations such as Bay Farm Island and Alameda

Despite the distance, tenants organized. On September 15, 2600 Tenants United sent a letter notifying the landlord that they had organized an association and demanded secure storage, rent reimbursement for August, continued temporary housing until their units were safe to return to, and assistance with transportation, food and medical care costs.

These demands went unmet, so on October 6, tenants picketed outside at the Abode Services Headquarters in Fremont. Vivian Wan, the CEO of Abode, finally responded to the letter from the tenants union on October 8. Wan did not commit to providing transitional housing, but the organizing push had clearly moved Wan to address the issue. 

Current reached out to Abode Services but did not receive a response. 

As formerly unhoused tenants face fears of imminent homelessness, they do not want to back down. “I just had a baby… we're trying to see where to go for the holidays,” said Diamond.

The 2600 Tenants United appear ready to continue their organizing, despite the difficulties ahead.