Oakland nonprofit bribes tenants to give up private information

Oakland nonprofit bribes tenants to give up private information

By Lynda Carson - December 17, 2014

Oakland — The East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC) is one of Oakland’s largest nonprofit housing developers and is currently operating a raffle scheme to bribe it’s tenants in around 1,400 rental units into submitting some very personal information to the nonprofit corporation.

Additionally, as an option EBALDC is directing the low-income tenants to provide the personal information online to Survey Monkey Inc., a billion dollar corporation owned by David Goldberg. Goldberg is married to Sheryl Sandberg who is the Chief Operating Officer of Face Book.

According to the Department of Justice (DOJ) in California, charities and certain other nonprofit organizations may conduct raffles as fund raising events or charitable purposes in the state, provided that 90 percent of the gross receipts of the raffle go to charitable or beneficial purposes.

Last week low-income tenants in around 1,400 rental units were served a three page survey packet of very personal questions, and were informed in an accompanying flier that if they submitted the completed survey to the property manager or online with Survey Monkey Inc., that they would be entered into a raffle to win a $100 Visa gift card.

There were not any tickets provided with the survey packet for the raffle, and there was not any information provided in regards to a deadline or when tenants should stop submitting the completed survey. Additionally, the survey/raffle packet failed to announce when the raffle would occur, or where. The flier only stated that the winner would be contacted by mail, and there was not a name or phone number on the flier to contact for further information.

The nonprofit housing developer is profiling the tenants, and as an example of some of the questions the tenants are being asked: How many times a week do you exercise for 20 minutes or more, or eat fruit and vegetables? In the past year have you seen a violent act or drug related activity in your community? Do you feel safe in your neighborhood or building you reside in? How many neighbors do you say hello to on a daily basis? In the past year have you been in danger of losing your housing? Do you know who you can turn to in an emergency? Do you feel connected to your neighbors? Do you think your neighborhood is a healthy place to live? In general how satisfied do you feel about your life?

The tenants are being directed to fill out the three page survey titled the “EBALDC Annual Survey 2014” which closely resembles one of EBALDC’s annual contract recertification packets that tenants are required to fill out and submit under threat of being evicted, and losing their subsidized housing.

No where in the three page survey packet does it mention that it is voluntary for the tenants to fill out, and EBALDC declined to provide a name or contact number of someone to reach that may provide any further information about the raffle or survey.

On December 15, according to Amber Lambson of EBALDC’s Resident Services Department, she stated that the survey information packet went out to all of EBALDC’s residential buildings after I told her that I am writing an article about the survey/raffle. She also stated that the tenants have two choices, they can return the filled out survey to management, or submit it online with Survey Monkey Inc. She then stated that she was busy and would call me back later.

Lambson’s boss is Tejal Shah in the Resident Services Department, and Cindy Norton is head of Property Management for EBALDC.

I next contacted Cindy Norton to advise her that I was writing an article about the survey and Norton expressed surprise that there was no mention in it that it was voluntary. She also mentioned that it was called the “Resident Services Survey.” However, on the survey itself it clearly is titled: EBALDC Annual Survey - 20014.

Around 5:20 PM on December 15, I received a follow up call from Amber Lambson and was advised that I was on a speaker phone with Lambson, Gustavo Fernandez who is an EBALDC property manager, and I believe that Cindy Norton was listening in to the conversation.

In brief, most of my questions were totally deflected or unanswered by Lambson. I was repeatedly advised that my questions would be answered in a written statement on December 16, to all the tenants that received the survey/raffle information. Additionally, in answer to one of my questions Gustavo Fernandez stated that they came up with the idea of a raffle because it was very difficult to get the tenants to complete past surveys.

According to the Department of Justice raffles are held in California by nonprofits to raise money. EBALDC’s activities to bribe tenants with a $100 Visa gift card that may possibly be won in a raffle that has no mention of a deadline appears incredible. Especially during Christmas time when low-income tenants are desperate to find money to buy gifts for their families.

Public records with the DOJ reveal that EBALDC’s raffle registration status expired on 4/25/2011.

Based upon information and belief, to the best of my knowledge the tenants in EBALDC’s housing projects did not receive any additional information regarding the survey/raffle on December 16.

Lynda Carson may be reached at tenantsrule [at] yahoo.com

Note: Lynda Carson is a long-time renter in one of EBALDC’s residential buildings.