Allen Temple Arms

    8135 International Blvd, Oakland, CA, 94621
    1.7 · 7 reviews
    • Independent living
    • Assisted living
    AnonymousCurrent/former resident
    1.0

    Unsafe, unclean, poorly managed property

    The building itself is nice, but I would not move in. The Oakland location feels unsafe (car break-ins, visible drug activity), guest access is poor due to the phone system, there's no tenant parking, and I saw roaches in common areas; staff were rude, unhelpful and inexperienced, couldn't answer waitlist or billing questions, and I worry about suspicious/incorrect rent charges.

    Pricing

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    Amenities

    1.71 · 7 reviews

    Overall rating

    1. 5
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 2
    5. 1
    • Care

      1.0
    • Staff

      1.0
    • Meals

      1.7
    • Amenities

      3.0
    • Value

      1.0

    Pros

    • Nice/new facility
    • Oakland location
    • Some reviewers described it as the best place to live

    Cons

    • Poor guest access due to phone system
    • Accessibility challenges for seniors
    • Security concerns (car break-ins)
    • Limited or no visible security
    • Drug use and dealing in the area
    • Unsafe neighborhood/terrible area
    • No tenant parking
    • No nearby grocery store
    • Roach infestation in ceilings and common areas
    • Poor overall cleanliness
    • Ineffective social worker
    • Unprofessional, rude, and unhelpful staff
    • New/inexperienced or uneducated staff
    • Vague interview responses and poor communication
    • Waitlist questions not answered
    • Suspicious or potentially incorrect rent charges
    • Residents expressing desire to move

    Summary review

    Overall sentiment in the reviews is mixed-to-negative: reviewers consistently praise the physical property itself while reporting serious concerns about safety, cleanliness, staff competence, and administrative reliability. Multiple reviewers called the building a “nice” or “new” facility and noted its Oakland location; a few even described it as the “best place to live.” However, these positives are frequently outweighed by recurring practical and safety complaints that affect daily life and resident confidence.

    Facilities and cleanliness: The building’s physical condition is perceived positively by some, but there are repeated reports of pest problems — specifically roaches in ceilings and in common areas — with reviewers saying extermination is needed. Cleanliness issues were reported beyond pest sightings, contributing to an impression of inadequate upkeep in some shared spaces. These cleanliness and pest-control problems are significant because they directly impact resident comfort and health and undermine the otherwise favorable impressions of the facility’s appearance or newness.

    Safety and neighborhood: A dominant theme is concern about safety inside and around the property. Reviewers cite car break-ins, drug use and dealing, and a general perception of an unsafe environment or “terrible area.” Several comments emphasize limited visible security on site, which exacerbates fear and dissatisfaction. The lack of tenant parking and absence of nearby grocery shopping options further compound quality-of-life concerns, particularly for seniors who may have limited mobility.

    Staff, management, and administration: Staff interactions are a major source of complaint. Reviewers describe staff as rude, unprofessional, unhelpful, and in some cases inexperienced or uneducated. There are specific allegations that staff gave vague answers during interviews and failed to respond to waitlist inquiries. Administrative issues extend into financial matters: reviewers reported suspicious rent payments or potential incorrect rental charges, which raises red flags about billing and transparency. The combination of poor customer service and administrative lapses contributes strongly to negative impressions and to residents considering moving away.

    Care, social services, and communications: Concerningly, reviewers singled out an ineffective social worker and described staff as not performing duties expected of them. Communication problems are frequent: the phone system reportedly limits guest access, and reviewers felt that staff did not adequately answer questions or explain waitlist and rental processes. Accessibility challenges for seniors were also mentioned, indicating that the property’s operations or infrastructure may not be fully meeting the needs of older adults.

    Patterns and overall takeaways: The reviews reveal a clear pattern: while the property itself is appealing to some and benefits from its Oakland location, operational failures — notably in security, pest control, staff professionalism, and administrative transparency — dominate residents’ experiences. These are not isolated complaints but recurring themes across multiple reviewers. If accurate, the combination of safety risks, health-impacting cleanliness issues, and poor staff/management performance would be the primary drivers of dissatisfaction.

    Implications and recommendations: For prospective residents, the reports suggest exercising caution: verify current pest-control status, security measures (on-site personnel, cameras, or patrols), parking arrangements, and proximity to groceries or services before committing. Ask detailed questions about billing procedures and get written explanations for charges; request contact points for management and social services and test responsiveness. For management, priorities should be visible security improvements, a documented and effective pest-control plan, staff training on customer service and resident communications, and transparent billing practices to address the most frequent and serious concerns cited by reviewers.

    Location

    Map showing location of Allen Temple Arms

    About Allen Temple Arms

    Allen Temple Arms is a group of affordable senior housing communities with names like Allen Temple Arms I, Allen Temple Arms II, Allen Temple Gardens, and Allen Temple Manor, mostly in Oakland, California, but also in other parts of the state, all managed by HumanGood or Beacon Communities and developed by Allen Temple Development Corporation. The properties provide independent living, assisted living, memory care, and sometimes skilled nursing, with several options for low-income seniors age 62 and up and some for non-elderly disabled adults, with no minimum income required and rent based on 30% of income. Units come in studio and one-bedroom layouts, include cable-ready hookups, carpet, heaters, grab bars in bathrooms, and emergency call buttons. Kitchens have a stove, full-size fridge, and garbage disposal, and there's coin laundry onsite.

    Residents will see things like a library, a community room for events, computer and copier access, a raised garden, outdoor patio with a BBQ pit, and a beauty salon, alongside accessible spaces, gated parking, designated spaces for smoking, and wheelchair-friendly apartments. The grounds have trees, flowers, and balconies, and apartments have lots of natural light. The main building is three stories and close to shops, freeways, churches, restaurants, and public transportation. There's a service coordinator who helps residents find medical and community support, plus regular events-coffee hours, support groups, produce giveaways, grocery shopping trips, massage sessions, and visits from a podiatrist. Staff organizes programs like Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, Streets Disciples street outreach, Prophetic Justice and Public Ministry, Boys' and Girls' Rite of Passage, and mission projects through Global Ministries. Ministries in health education, congregational care, and youth development also support residents and the local community.

    Pets are allowed for a $250 deposit, with service animals following different rules, and a reasonable accommodation policy lets people make changes for accessibility with documentation. The building accepts various forms of payment, works with rental and deposit assistance programs, and pays utilities like electricity, heat, water, and garbage. Applicants must be 62 or older; there's a screening process with a credit and background check-no fee for the credit check-no cosigners, and no applicants with a recent eviction. The building's waiting list is open, but there aren't currently any open units. Allen Temple Arms has won awards for friendly staff and engaging activities, but its main draw is steady, supportive housing for seniors in a spot that's close to so much in the Oakland area, with staff and programs built around community, well-being, and safety, without making big promises it can't keep.

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