The planned conversion of the Courtyard Marriott into a homeless shelter with 150 beds in Chinatown has been abandoned. Cardea Health was set to operate the site, funded by a $20 million deal. Local business leaders influenced city council member Charlene Wang to withdraw support for the project, citing concerns about placing a shelter near businesses and vulnerable populations. Community disputes over homeless shelters have intensified in Oakland amid rising crime and economic challenges post-COVID-19. City leaders must find alternative shelter solutions, with funding available from Alameda County.
City leaders now have two weeks to endorse an alternate shelter site in Oakland, where crime fears and a battered economy have fueled contentious politics among Chinatown residents since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cardea Health CEO Dr. Alexis Chettiar said the converted Courtyard Marriott site would have been equipped with 24/7 security, with no cost to the city budget.
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