West Oakland Property Owner Keith Kim Speaks Out On Tragedy
Expresses Shock, Grief Over Deaths
“We were trying to improve the property for residents by removing unresponsive management”
Tenant Urojas Community Services was Responsible for Maintenance, Safety Issues
Oakland, Calif.—The property owner of a west Oakland apartment building expressed his family’s deep sorrow and mourning for the four people who lost their lives in a fire that swept through the 43 unit residential complex at 2551 San Pablo Ave., Oakland, that housed low-income families and people with mental, health or addiction problems.
“We are in shock at this tragedy,” said Keith Kim, a businessman who has owned the property for about 25 years because he wanted to help make a difference and provide affordable housing.
“I am heartbroken by what has occurred. We grieve for the four lives lost and for the residents, family and friends who are impacted by the tragedy.
Mr. Kim has assisted a family of one of the people who died in the fire by paying for the funeral expenses of the deceased.
Background on Urojas Community Services as Master Tenant at 2551 San Pablo Ave., Oakland
Mr. Kim has always leased the building to non-profits. The initial long-term tenant operated a shelter for battered women. When that tenant saw public funding decrease, Mr. Kim lowered the rent to help them make ends meet. That master tenant was also responsible for all repairs and maintenance. But unlike Urojas, that master tenant had kept the building in excellent condition for over 18 years.
Next, Mr. Kim entered into a “master-tenant” agreement and leased the entire building to another non-profit whose mission was to provide low-income housing. That agreement required the “master-tenant” to perform repairs and maintenance. However, within about three years of taking over the management and control of the building, the non-profit brought in Urojas Community Services and its leader, Pastor Jasper Lowery, and that’s when trouble began for the first time in the history of Mr. Kim’s ownership.
Mr. Kim began eviction proceeding in 2016 after he discovered Urojas had failed to pay its East Bay MUD water bill for 3 years and had allowed the living conditions to deteriorate.
Mr. Kim said that had worked to broker a deal with the City and County and other non-profits to remove and replace Urojas Community Services (which was responsible for all maintenance and upkeep of the building) and its leader Pastor Jasper Lowery, but Lowery reneged on the agreement.
It is important to note that Mr. Kim was only evicting Urojas and Pastor Lowery from managing the building. The action was not against the tenants, whom he and the City and County desired to remain in place.
“We were trying to protect the residents and improve the management of the building by removing Urojas as its manager and operator,” he said.