Jack London Senior Housing
The HIA addressed a proposed residential and commercial development at the Jack London Gateway (JLG) in Oakland, California. The project included 55 units of low-income senior housing and an additional 14,000 feet of retail space in an underutilized parking lot of an existing shopping plaza. The site is close to several interstate freeways and to the Port of Oakland. Pathways explored included indoor and outdoor air quality, noise, safety and retail. Health issues explored included respiratory illness, high blood pressure, sleep loss, stress, physical injury and physical activity. Among the HIA's recommendations were the inclusion of an air-filtering system, noise protection and re-orientation of the entrance away from the freeway and toward the community.
Outcome
Outcomes of the HIA included: 1) a decision to install a central ventilation system with air filters inside housing units and common spaces; and 2) modification of the building design to orient the main entryway through a noise-buffered courtyard facing the existing community.
One resident said: “The way that they designed this building, it’s for your health. We can open up the air purifiers to get fresh air. I’m even on the side facing the freeway but the building is sound-proof, so you can barely hear the traffic. It’s so peaceful. Before I lived here, I had to have shots for asthma and go to the hospital for oxygen to get my breathing down to the right level. Since I’ve lived here, I haven’t had to do that once. I love it.” (Source: Human Impact Partners Fall 2012 newsletter)
More Information
HIA Website:
https://humanimpact.org/hipprojects/jack-london-gateway-hia-case-story/?strategy=research
Organization Website:
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Status:Completed
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Publication date:2007, January
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Decision-making levels:Local
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Sectors:Housing
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Additional topic areas:Siting
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Drivers of health:Diet and physical activity, Clean air and water, Safe, affordable, and healthy housing, Community safety, Noise, Safe street infrastructure, Access to healthy food
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Affected populations:Chronic health conditions, Economically disadvantaged, Older adults, Racial and ethnic minorities
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Community types:Urban
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Research methods:Primary research, Qualitative research, Quantitative research
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Funding source:Other funding