Like many in Oakland and the Bay Area struggling under the rising cost of living, I rent my housing. I was in my previous apartment for a long time, until problems with a new building owner and a litany of unresolved maintenance issues arose, setting in motion a chain of events that resulted in me leaving my home and having to navigate a period of housing instability.
This story is part of Amplify Oakland, our series of first-person stories shared by Oaklanders in their own words. Read more.
My old apartment was built in the 1970s and in disrepair before it was sold. But the building was near Lake Merritt and the rent was inexpensive. The previous owner did what he could to maintain the property, but it was an expensive endeavor…