Repurposing a 60-acre former university campus in the Oakland Hills into a fully integrated workforce development ecosystem — combining housing stability, hands-on training, industry credentials, and direct job placement.
The former Holy Names University campus in the Oakland Hills closed in 2023 and was acquired by BH Properties. 58.6 acres. 430,000 sq ft across 15 buildings. 30 classrooms, labs, and library spaces. Ready to activate immediately. No zoning changes required.
The campus is immaculately maintained, fully equipped, and waiting. Despite over $3 billion in state and local workforce training funds since 2015, outcomes remain poor. Nearly 500,000 young Californians ages 16-24 are disconnected from both school and work. Golden Gateway is the Bay Area's answer.
"When you walk this campus, it feels like class should be in session. 30 pianos, 300 Mac computers, 12 vans — left behind when Holy Names closed. The grass is cut. The power is on. The performing arts center seats 500. All that's missing is the program."
Golden Gateway includes wellness and fitness facilities that support physical health alongside workforce development — a gymnasium, outdoor courtyards, and walking trails across 20 acres of wooded hillside.
Golden Gateway prioritizes Transitional-Aged Youth (18-24) and military veterans — the populations most at risk and most underserved by existing systems.
Every participant works with a Workforce Navigator to build a personalized Career Action Plan aligned with industry demand, certification tracks, and employer partnerships. Golden Gateway trains people for the jobs AI cannot replace.
Golden Gateway is designed around the realities of the people it serves. Young adults who have experienced foster care transitions, housing insecurity, or economic displacement need more than job training — they need an environment built for stability, safety, and belonging.
The campus integrates behavioral health counseling, primary care, substance use recovery services, legal aid and expungement support, financial literacy, and mentorship alongside every workforce pathway. Safety, beauty, choice, and community are not afterthoughts — they are the model.
In 2024, Beyond Homeless brought 60 Bay Area leaders to San Antonio and Austin to visit Haven for Hope and Community First Village — two of the most successful campus-based models in the country.
Haven for Hope has operated for nearly 15 years on a 22-acre campus. It serves 1,700 people daily through 180 partner organizations. It has achieved a 77% reduction in downtown homelessness and generates $29 in community return for every dollar spent. Golden Gateway adapts this proven framework for Alameda County's transitional age youth.
Beyond Homeless convenes leaders from real estate, philanthropy, government, nonprofits, and civic organizations across the Bay Area to align on solutions and move together.
Research group, documentary maker, model leader and funder
Real estate expertise and alliance, unique funding models
Highly influential policy leaders, 350+ corporate members
Interim community builders, tiny home and modular expertise
Owners of Oakland Campus, nationwide developers and owners
Most experienced firm for human service campuses
Because the Bay Area wears our nation's brand of homelessness, it's our opportunity to create and share a system that works — and prove it can be replicated nationally.
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