Elizabeth Pierson has lived and worked in pricey Contra Costa County for most of her adult life. So when the nursing assistant drove by The Commons Oakley's newest affordable housing complex she knew she had come home. 

This development offers everything at your fingertips, said Pierson, who recently moved in with her two children. I can live by the market, my children's school and pharmacy.

Pierson added that the amenities located near the development will free up more of her time so that she can focus on what's important: the children.

The Commons at Oak Grove and Oak Place Senior Villas, located adjacent to the Cypress Square Shopping Center and within walking distance of Big Break Regional Shoreline, recently welcomed its first wave of residents working professionals in medicine, child care, retail, sales and construction.

Nestled among the city's prized oak trees and situated at the end of a private, oak-lined driveway, the 262 units, divided into two phases, offer community members the services and support mechanisms they need to thrive.

Each unit is outfitted with granite countertops and Whirlpool appliances including a refrigerator, stove, range and dishwasher, and designed to meet energy efficient standards for green building and lower utility costs. The units are furnished with premium carpeting, dual-paned windows, central air-conditioning and heating, and window coverings.

Each phase at The Commons has its own 5,500-square-foot community room. A variety of services will be available to residents of The Oak Community, as well as to residents of the surrounding neighborhood.

Resident opportunities include various after-school programs, an onsite gym, computer classes and nutrition classes. In addition, each community room is outfitted with a spacious kitchen, computer center with free Internet access and a spacious common area for the weekly programs and classes.

The Commons project was developed and financed through a collaborative effort of the Oakley Redevelopment Agency, Citibank FSB (West), California Statewide Communities Development Authority, California Debt Limit Allocation Committee, California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, The Mechanics Bank, Alliance Capital and Simpson Housing Solutions, LLC.

For applications to The Commons, call Rosalda Fuertes at 925-625-4161. The office is located at 2049 Main St. in Oakley, in the Raley's Shopping Center. 

For additional questions, call Justin Hardt at 818-905-2430.