Housing Acquisition Fund (HAF) FAQ

Launched in 2015, EBALDC’s Housing Acquisition Fund (HAF) is a new model to address the housing crisis in Oakland. Through the Housing Acquisition Fund, EBALDC is acquiring existing multifamily properties and stabilizing these rents for current residents.

This program is designed to preserve housing for moderate-income families and individuals, preserving and expanding quality affordable housing in Oakland.

EBALDC’s purpose is to provide long-term affordability for moderate-income residents by using government programs, like property tax exemptions to stabilize rents. To accomplish this, all HAF residents undergo a certification process upon leasing and yearly thereafter.  By providing their income, household composition and supporting documents, residents help each property to qualify for certain financing arrangements, government programs, and/or property tax exemptions to keep rents affordable.

Yes, HAF is moderately affordable housing. The HAF portfolio of properties are aimed at serving moderate income households earning up to 80% Annual Median Income (AMI), as set by Alameda County.

Detailed income limits provided below.

See the chart below for the maximum annual income limits that a household must meet or stay under to qualify for a HAF/moderate-income unit based on the number of people in the household set at 80% Annual Median Income (AMI).

Below is a chart that shows anticipated rent (based on 80% of the area median income), the minimum and maximum number of people, and minimum annual income for each unit size. This chart should be considered in conjunction with the above maximum income chart.

Using the charts, a household of 2 making $58,000 annually would meet the requirements for both a Studio renting at $1,918 and 1BD apartment renting at $2,055.

*Minimum annual income requirements do not apply for applicants with Housing Choice Vouchers or similar subsidies.

Yes, EBALDC accepts Housing Choice Vouchers (HVC) and similar subsidies. Minimum income requirements do not apply for applicants with Housing Choice Vouchers or similar subsidies.

Yes, on occasion there are rent special offers at specific HAF communities for specific units.  These special rents may be set at either 50% or 60% AMI.  Please see the Special Rent Offer charts below and check with the site’s Property Management staff for more details. 

*Minimum income requirements do not apply for applicants with Housing Choice Vouchers or similar subsidies.

*SEE OUR FULL LIST OF CURRENT SPECIAL RENT OFFERS*

Yes, there is one open waiting list used for all HAF properties.  Applicants are encouraged to add their name to the waiting list to be considered for vacancies as they come up.  Visit https://www.ebaldchaf.com/ to add your name to the HAF Portfolio waitlist by completing a pre-application.

Please note, it is a First Come →  First Qualified →  First Served process. 

• Prospect submits a pre-application.
• A manager contacts the applicant to tour the unit.
• The applicant agrees to move forward with the leasing process.
• Manager begins collecting information regarding the applicant’s household and its income & assets.
• The time it takes to lease is dependent on the resident and how quickly the information needed is supplied.  Generally, leasing takes approximately 45-days.  However additional time is needed if the applicant has a Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), which includes a separate approval process with the Oakland Housing Authority (OHA).

All HAF residents undergo a certification process upon leasing and yearly thereafter.  By providing their income, household composition and supporting documents, residents help each property to align with certain financing arrangements, government programs, and/or property tax exemptions to keep rents affordable.