The State - News from Jan. 1, 1988

A group of homeless people who want to renovate and live in a dilapidated downtown house won an important victory when the Oakland Planning Commission recommended that the house be designated a historical landmark. The action delays any possible demolition of the boarded-up Victorian house for at least 240 days, and gives the two dozen people calling themselves the Oakland Homeless Union time to work out a deal with the city and the owner of the house, Robin Orr. The union wants to use the building as permanent housing for the homeless and as a “living memorial” to the homeless people of Oakland.