Sweat-Equity Down Payment

Owner-Built Housing 

In 1980 the Mckinley family of Oakland was one of seven Oakland families that were approved for a construction loan of $45,000 to participate in the Owner-Built Housing Program of Oakland Neighborhood Housing Services (ONHS).

The homes are located on 73rd Avenue between International Blvd and Holly Street.

Building Training

The families were trained in construction techniques and were supervised by professional construction personnel. They took classes at the Owner Builder Center in Berkeley. The highly technical and most finish work was subcontracted out.

Each family was obligated to provide 40 hours of labor week on the construction of their home.  

 The couples had to have incomes of between $21,000 and $31,000. They had to be Oakland residents for a year and be first-time homeowners.

Project Design

Architects at the University of California, Berkeley, contributed to the beginning design stages of the project and made the model used in the presentation to the City of Oakland.

The three-bedroom, two-bath homes were designed by Architect Richard McCarty of Morro Bay.

The project took about a year to develop, arrange for the money, and purchase the lots. 

The City of Oakland purchased the lots for $3000 each.

The first seven homes took about ten months to build. In all I believe there were 14 homes built.

The Families:

• Charles and Yolanda Bird – 1808 73rd Ave
• James Davis
• Jake and Pauline Evans
• Bariwynn and Mary Jane Howard – 1616 73rd Ave
• Stanley and Mary Mckinley – 1468 73rd Ave
• Tony Stevens
• Willie and Denise Sumtter

More Info:

• Owners Build Test Project – SF Examiner June 29, 1980
• The Downpayment is Sweat- Berkeley Gazette Feb 01, 1981
• Downpayments of Hardwork – SF Examiner April 1981
• American Dream Gets Helping Hand – SF Examiner April 1981
• Do-It-Yourself Home Builders- LA Times May 22, 1981
• Do-It-Yourself Home Builders – Pt 2 – LA Times May 22, 1981
• Do-It-Yourself Home Builders – Pt 3 – LA Times May 22, 1981
• Sweat Equity – LA Times Jan 09, 1983

Building a Dream – PBS