The planned Central Station development will have 1,500 homes, and more than 200 will be offered to low-income families who qualify for a first-time mortgage assistance program.

Projects by AACWA, the Alliance for West Oakland Development, Bridge Housing and Oakland Community Housing Inc. will provide other ownership opportunities for working families earning 65 to 80 percent of the area median income.

The goal is to create a permanent home buyers training center to get renters a foot in the door and give developers a pool of people pre-qualified for loans, said Darcel Jackson, AACWA director.

"These people are not poor, not rich, but they can't afford (to buy a house) alone," Jackson said. "There is a bunch of working-class people who are perpetual renters, who don't get a shot at homeownership. If anybody starts now, we can help them with credit repair so they'll be ready."

The workshop starts at noon at the Alliance for West Oakland Development offices, 1357 Fifth St. Space is limited. RSVP at 587-8322. Additional workshops are scheduled for Aug. 28 and Sept. 11.