The Unity Council
The Unity Council is a non-profit Social Equity Development Corporation with over 50 years of history in the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland. Our mission is to promote social equity and improve quality of life by building vibrant communities where everyone can work, learn, and thrive.
Our programs aim to provide the community with the tools, knowledge, and resources to transform their lives and ultimately achieve their long-term educational, career, and financial goals. These holistic programs and services reach more than 8,000 individuals and families annually in five languages. Programs include: early childhood education, youth mentorship and leadership development, employment services, career readiness training, housing and financial stability, senior citizen services, affordable housing and neighborhood development, and arts and cultural events. The Unity Council employs a diverse workforce of more than 308 people who reflect the linguistic, cultural, and ethnic identity of the communities we serve. Our work expands beyond the Fruitvale district and now reaches across Oakland and into Concord.
Over time, The Unity Council has invested over 100 million dollars in community assets, including affordable housing and community benefit developments like the Fruitvale Transit Village—a nationally recognized transit-oriented development project. Other real estate and small business assistance activities include:
- Community Resource Center at 1900 Fruitvale: community benefit office building
- Affordable Senior Apartment Homes: 188 units of senior affordable housing- Posada De Colores, Las Bougainvilleas, Casa Velasco
- Fruitvale Transit Village (Phase I): Award-winning transit-oriented development, over 150,000 square feet of retail, commercial and residential space
- Casa Arabella (Fruitvale Village Phase II-A): 94 units of affordable housing with permanent on-site supportive services for residents and veterans
- Fruitvale Transit Village (Phase II-B): Currently in development of 181 units of affordable housing with permanent supportive services provided by Alameda County Health Care Services Agency
- Public Market and Historic Masonic Temple: 11 small businesses, the planned Juntos Fruitvale a co-working, community, and cultural arts space
- High-quality property management services
- Business Improvement District management of 396 businesses
- Small business support services
The Unity Council is the umbrella organization of several related subsidiaries: Peralta Service Corporation, a social enterprise and job-training program; Fruitvale Development Corporation, for real estate development and management; and Casitas de Hayward, for the management of our three low-income senior HUD properties.
