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After 40 deaths in 2 recent fires Oakland Mayor expands Fire Prevention Bureau

by Lynda Carson (tenantsrule [at] yahoo.com)
After the inspection reports of the Oakland Fire Prevention Bureau that were made public exposed some of the major code violations at 2551 San Pablo, Mayor Libby Schaaf decided that it was time to double the size of the Fire Prevention Bureau!
After 40 deaths in 2 recent fires Oakland Mayor expands Fire Prevention Bureau

By Lynda Carson - April 3, 2017

Oakland - After 40 people died recently in 2 disastrous fires owned by slumlords, including the Ghost Ship warehouse fire, and 2551 San Pablo, where around 100 people were displaced from their housing, Mayor Libby Schaaf decided that it was time to double the size of the Fire Prevention Bureau by ordering a fire safety inspection overhaul of the department.

Additionally, in response to all the people being displaced in recent months from their housing situations in warehouses, Oakland City Attorney Barbara Parker released a March 29 memo detailing the rights and protections of people who may be living in non-conforming residential units including warehouses. This includes important information on how some displaced residents may be eligible to receive relocation benefits if they are displaced from non-conforming residential units.

Three nonprofit organizations managed the building where four people died last Monday at 2551 San Pablo, and around 100 people resided there in dangerous slum like conditions, including squatters, until the building caught fire, and they had to run for their lives. Urojas Community Services, House of Change, and Dignity Housing West were involved. Urojas Community Services and Dignity Housing West provided housing for the low-income renters residing in slum like conditions, including the disabled and mentally ill. The City of Oakland knew there were many code violations at the building, and that people were living in slum-like conditions because the slumlord Keith Kim failed to maintain the building properly.

The building (deathtrap) where four people died is owned by slumlord Keith Kim, who resides in a spacious Piedmont home valued at more than $3,800,000. Meanwhile, as last reported over three dozen fire victims were still staying in a shelter while seeking a place to live.

Oakland Mayor Expands Fire Prevention Bureau

As reported by KRON, on March 31, Mayor Libby Schaaf said, “The San Pablo Avenue Fire is another tragedy that reveals the urgent need to overhaul our inspection process,” Schaaf said. “Today we are doubling the number of staff members in the Fire Prevention Bureau and taking steps to enhance their training and tools. We must expose the reckless property owners who are putting profits above safety. The two tragic fires over the last months highlight the critical importance of leadership, training, technology and staffing at our Fire Department; today’s actions address those needs.”

After the inspection reports of the Oakland Fire Prevention Bureau that were made public exposed some of the major code violations at 2551 San Pablo, Mayor Libby Schaaf decided that it was time to double the size of the Fire Prevention Bureau. Code violations reported include problems with the fire alarm system, fire sprinkler system, emergency lighting and exit signs, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, evacuation maps, extension cords in lieu of electrical outlets, and furniture in interior areas of the building. There were also habitability issues inside the building, including mold, mildew, structural instability, damaged interior, lack of water, lack of heat, leaky pipes, unsanitary conditions, leaky roof, holes in walls/ceilings/floors, rodents, improper plumbing, and deferred maintenance – and blight outside the building – graffiti, trash, debris, building materials and discarded furniture. In essence, the residents of 2551 San Pablo have been living in slum-like conditions for some time, and the city was well aware of it.

Additionally, the released emails by the media exposing major problems in the system regarding 2551 San Pablo, placed more heat on the Mayor and inspired her to appear as though she was doing something to prevent more fire disasters in buildings owned by the slumlords of Oakland.

Urojas Community Services, House of Change, and Dignity Housing West Managed The Building Owned By Slumlord

Three nonprofit organizations including Urojas Community Services, House of Change, and Dignity Housing West managed 2551 San Pablo, where four people died last Monday, and around 100 people resided there in dangerous slum like conditions until the building caught fire, and they had to run for their lives.

Among the three nonprofits that were operating at 2551 San Pablo, Jamari Herbert is listed as the agent for service of process with the Secretary of State for House of Change. Records reveal that House of Change has a suspended license, and records reveal that Jamari Herbert was listed as the secretary for the alleged nonprofit organization. Alleged nonprofit organization, because there are not any public records available that can confirm that House of Change ever had a nonprofit status.

Additionally, according to Corporation Wiki, Jabari Herbert is a former president of Dignity Housing West. Dignity Housing West is listed as the owner of 690 15th St., plus 430 28th St., is listed as being owned by Dignity Housing West li Associates, and Harp Plaza Apartments in Oakland is owned in partnership with Dignity Housing West, and the Community Housing Development Corporation of Richmond. Dignity Housing West Associates was also an affiliate of Oakland Community Housing, Inc, a nonprofit affordable housing developer that dissolved after it allegedly became broke. Curtis Flemming is currently the director of Dignity Housing West, and is listed with the Secretary of State as the agent for service of process for the company.

Jabari Herbert also has a website for a company called the Herbert Enterprise Group, LLC, and according to their website: “Herbert Enterprise Group is a strategic consortium of three companies: Herbert Development Enterprises, LLC (HDE), Greenstone Development, LLC (Greenstone) and Focon Construction, Inc. (FOCON). Each individual team member has achieved professionally within their respective field. The consortium leverages HDE’s commercial development and entitlements’ expertise with FOCON’s engineering and construction experience and Greenstone’s capabilities in project planning and financing on large public-private projects to deliver top quality projects. Our team offers a proven track record and exceptional relationships to achieve swift entitlements and meet your organization’s objectives for completing first-class real estate development projects.”

Public records with the Secretary of State in California reveal that out of the three corporations mentioned in the Jabari Herbert website that are part of the consortium called the Herbert Enterprise Group, LLC, that the Jan K. Herbert Development Partners, LLC, has a suspended license. Additional records reveal that Greenstone Development, LLC, has a suspended license also. A search of other records fail to turn up a real estate license or a contractors license for Jabari Herbert, and it appears that despite the hype of the website for the consortium called Herbert Enterprise Group, LLC, that the consortium is dysfunctional, or may have dissolved.

Based on information and a recent article in the East Bay Express, it also appears that Jabari Herbert has become a front for slumlord Keith Kim and his brother Hahn Kim, and their company called the West Oakland Development Group, LLC, in a $4.2 million shady land deal involving the City of Oakland, and developer Patrick Kennedy of Panoramic Interests.

As for Urojas Community Services, according to public records, the last time Urojas Community Services, employee identification number 26-2211142, filed a 990 tax filing it was for 2010. Public records reveal that by the end of 2010, Urojas Community Services, a 501 c3 nonprofit charity organization, run by Jasper Lowery, had a fund balance of only $100. Records also reveal that by the end of 2009, Urojas Community Services had a fund balance of $100, and they had no assets or a zero fund balance for the organization by the end of 2008. Reportedly, nonprofit organizations that fail to file their 990 tax filings in a timely manner may be charged steep fines or penalties for violating the law.

According to Urojas Community Services, Dr. Jasper Lowery, Founder and Executive Director of the organization, is a certified administrator for the State of California to operate Licensed Care Facilities, and public records reveal that his license is active till 11/23/2018.

Records also reveal that Urojas Ministries run by Pastor Jasper Lowery, has a suspended license.

Reportedly, Urojas Community Services and Jasper Lowery have also been in the news recently in Stockton for allegedly running a transitional project poorly.

As of last Thursday, reportedly there were still over three dozen people in a shelter as a result of the disastrous fire that occurred at 2551 San Pablo, that is owned by slumlord Keith Kim, and was managed by Urojas Community Services, House of Change, and Dignity Housing West.

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

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