Oakland Residents Resist Eviction from Tiny Home Village

A standoff began Tuesday between residents of a tiny home shelter in West Oakland and city officials. The city-contracted village at 3rd and Peralta streets was slated for closure on March 31, 2026, but some residents are refusing to leave.

Budget Cuts Force Shelter Closures

The closure of the Peralta cabins is one of two shelter closures announced by city officials due to a significant budget shortfall. The city’s community housing services division has experienced a 41% reduction in funding for the current fiscal year.

Residents Express Desperation

“We’re out here trying to figure out what the f— we’re going to do,” said Martin, 37, a resident of the village. “I feel like we were cheated out of our opportunities that were supposed to be given to us. We’re really and truly living on a prayer.” Between 10 and 15 people remain at the site, which once housed up to 40 individuals.

Concerns Over Alternative Housing

Residents report being offered alternative shelter at a tiny home village on Mandela Parkway, but express concerns about the conditions there. Frankie Ernst, a 40-year-old auto mechanic, stated, “After today or tomorrow, if I get kicked out, I’m right back out on the street again… It sucks. I feel really, really left out in the dark.” Ernst also cited safety concerns about sharing a tiny home with a stranger.

City Response and Ongoing Situation

Jean Walsh, a spokesperson for the city of Oakland, stated the village will officially close “when all clients are moved off the site.” As of Wednesday morning, it was unclear how officials planned to proceed if residents remained unwilling to leave. Walsh confirmed the city “has not engaged with law enforcement.”

Nonprofit Operator and Caltrans Involvement

The Housing Consortium of the East Bay operates the site, but its executive director, Darrin Lounds, deferred questions to city officials. He indicated that only four people were reportedly still living at the village as of Wednesday morning. The land on which the tiny home village is located is owned by Caltrans, the state transportation agency, which did not comment on the situation.

Broader Homelessness Crisis in Oakland

Oakland faces a continuing challenge with homelessness, with approximately 2,500 people becoming homeless annually, while city and county programs assist only 1,500 in finding housing. The tiny home villages were initially intended as temporary solutions, but often provide housing for extended periods.

Resident’s History with Housing

Martin shared that she moved into the Peralta cabins in September after living in a nearby encampment for eight years. She described the relief of being offered a spot at 3rd and Peralta after her RV was towed during an encampment clearing.

Past Concerns About Site Conditions

Ernst also described issues with the site, including filthy bathrooms and a lack of repercussions for a dog attack on his own pet. City officials previously acknowledged the shelters slated for closure had “weaker program performance” compared to others, noting residents tended to be younger and healthier, making them ineligible for certain housing programs.