West Oakland Towers Residents Allege Deplorable Conditions, Sparking Political Outcry

Oakland, CA – Residents of West Oakland Towers are reportedly enduring severe living conditions, including issues with sewage and mold, prompting a strong public accusation against Councilwoman Carroll Fife by prominent local critic Seneca Scott. The claims highlight ongoing concerns about housing quality and tenant advocacy in the city.

Seneca Scott, a former Oakland mayoral candidate, took to social media to voice the community's distress, stating, > "Gotham Oakland – Season 2, Ep #54 Sewage, Mold & Betrayal: “Phony Fife”- Councilwoman Abandons City Towers." He further alleged that Councilwoman Fife, despite her "Housing is a Human Right" advocacy, "won’t return their calls – but she’ll answer to her gentrifier handlers."

Recent reports from KTVU, dated August 12, 2025, corroborate tenant complaints at West Oakland Towers regarding unsafe living conditions, specifically mentioning a broken elevator, rodent infestations, and mold-infested stairwells. This aligns with Scott's description of "squalor" within the building. The City of Oakland's Code Enforcement Services outlines a process for addressing such violations, including issuing notices and orders to abate habitability issues.

Councilwoman Carroll Fife, representing District 3 which includes West Oakland, has a well-documented history as a staunch advocate for tenant rights and affordable housing. A founding member of the "Moms for Housing" movement, her platform explicitly champions "Housing is a Human Right." Her legislative record includes efforts to cap rent increases, expand tenant protections through measures like Measure V, and support social housing initiatives.

Furthermore, Councilwoman Fife co-sponsored an ordinance, passed in July 2024, requiring landlords to maintain elevators and provide alternative housing for disabled tenants if elevators are inoperable for more than 24 hours. These actions appear to contradict Scott's assertions of abandonment or undue influence from "gentrifier handlers."

Scott, known for his vocal critiques of Oakland's city leadership on issues such as homelessness and public safety, has previously faced controversy, including domestic violence allegations during his 2022 mayoral campaign, which he denied as politically motivated. His strong rhetoric against Fife underscores a broader political tension within Oakland regarding housing policy and tenant welfare. The ongoing situation at West Oakland Towers brings to the forefront the challenges faced by residents and the political discourse surrounding housing conditions in the city.