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BayREN and OakCLT Partnership Helps Preserve Oakland Home

couple smiling at camera, with one person putting head on shoulder of the other person.

Twelve years ago, Shekinah and Christopher Samaya-Thomas purchased their Oakland home through the Oakland Community Land Trust (OakCLT), an organization that expands and preserves affordable housing for low-income residents and communities of color. Between 2011 and 2012, OakCLT helped 20 Oakland residents purchase homes at below-market prices. When these homeowners eventually sell, they agree to do so at affordable prices, ensuring lasting and sustainable homeownership opportunities in Oakland. 

Homeownership brings many rewards, but it also comes with ongoing responsibilities. Like many first-time homeowners, Shekinah and Christopher found themselves navigating the challenges of home maintenance without a clear roadmap. Shekinah mentioned, “We don’t know what has been neglected, and we did not want to learn the hard way.” Through a partnership between OakCLT and BayREN’s Efficiency and Sustainable Energy (EASE) Home program, Shekinah and Christopher were able to make smart, energy-efficient upgrades this fall that improve comfort, reduce costs and help keep their home in good condition.

The OakCLT partnership benefits both residents and the community land trust. “We are invested in the long-term sustainability of our residents and their homes. We work with homeowners within our community land trust as co-stewards of their properties, and any opportunity to connect them to affordable options that improve their homes, save them money, and cut down on emissions and energy use is a win-win-win for all of us,” shares Alex Acuña, Stewardship Coordinator at OakCLT. Currently, Alex is working to get more eligible homeowners that have gone through the OakCLT program enrolled with EASE Home.   

EASE Home supports income-qualified residents with home improvements that enhance health, comfort, and energy efficiency. Each participating household receives a personalized home proposal to identify opportunities for efficiency upgrades. Eligible households — those earning up to 120% of their county’s Area Median Income (AMI) — can access significant financial assistance to complete their upgrades. In Alameda County, where the couple lives, that’s an annual income of up to $144,975 for a family of two.

The program prioritizes home upgrades like attic insulation and duct sealing, covering 80% of the project cost , with a customer cap of $1,000. OakCLT offered to cover the $1,000 co-pay, making it a “no-brainer” for Shekinah and Christopher. “The partnership between OakCLT and EASE Home made it 100% more likely for us to enroll,” said Shekinah.

The project was completed in September 2025 by ENSO, an EASE Home contractor partner. “[Enso’s] level of professionalism these days is unprecedented. Overall, we found the EASE Home program easy to work with,” shared Shekinah.

Upgrades that were made at the Samaya-Thomas household include:

  • Attic Insulation: Improved insulation helps regulate indoor temperatures, reducing the need for heating and cooling.
  • Whole Home Air Sealing: Air sealing stops leaks by closing small gaps and cracks that let air escape. Keeping heated or cooled air inside reduces energy waste and helps protect against moisture and pests.
  • Duct Sealing: Sealing leaks in the ductwork ensures that heated or cooled air reaches its intended destination, improving efficiency and comfort.
  • Weatherstripping: This helps seal gaps around doors and windows, minimizing drafts and maintaining a consistent indoor climate.
  • Bathroom Fan and Kitchen Hood Replacement: These upgrades improve indoor air quality by enhancing ventilation and removing moisture, odors, and airborne pollutants.
  • New Carbon Monoxide Detector: Ensures safety by providing reliable detection of harmful gases, protecting the household from potential health risks.

Following the suite of upgrades, Shekinah immediately noticed a difference. “There’s a better seal and less draft from our doors,” she said. This November, she added, “I think the BayREN work has already had some good impacts on our home because I have not yet turned our heater on.” She’s now curious to see how the upgrades will continue to perform during the colder months ahead.

When programs like OakCLT and EASE Home collaborate, they create a strong support network that helps residents maintain safe, efficient, and affordable homes while preserving communities. “When you think about who is traditionally in single family, older homes in East Oakland, you are, majority of the time, talking about lower income working class communities of color. These are communities that are already facing environmental health disparities, so programs like these are something that our community needs,” says Shekinah.

Learn more about the EASE Home Program by visiting our webpage. For program partnership opportunities, contact: info@BayREN.org.

About OakCLT:

Oakland Community Land Trust (OakCLT) expands and preserves affordable housing and community-serving real estate for communities of color and low-income Oakland residents. Through land acquisition and shared-equity ownership models, OakCLT ensures its homes remain permanently affordable.