Funds for Alameda County’s COVID-19 hotel shelter program are dwindling
It’s unclear what will happen to the 1,200 people currently housed in the hotels once funding runs out.
Housing
Top Stories
Want to see who pays less property tax than you? New neighborhood map has the details
Because of Proposition 13, one house on a block might pay $28,000 in property taxes while a similar home only pays $6,000.
Rent Stabilization Board
Real estate interests spend heavily to support property-friendly rent board candidates
There is a full slate of five property owner-oriented candidates running for the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board — and real estate interests are backing them big time.
Election 2020: Rent board candidates answer Berkeleyside questions
Meet the 12 Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
Election 2020: Who is Andy Kelley?
Meet Andy Kelley, one of 12 Rent Stabilization Board candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
Election 2020: Who is Leah Simon-Weisberg?
Meet Leah Simon-Weisberg, one of 12 Rent Stabilization Board candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
Election 2020: Who is Bianca Zahrai?
Bianca Zahrai, one of 12 Rent Stabilization Board candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election, answers questions from Berkeleyside.
Election 2020: Who is Dan McDunn?
Meet Dan McDunn, one of 12 Rent Stabilization Board candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
Election 2020: Who is Dominique Walker?
Meet Dominique Walker, one of 12 Rent Stabilization Board candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
Election 2020: Who is Soulmaz Panahi?
Meet Soulmaz Panahi, one of 12 Rent Stabilization Board candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
Election 2020: Who is Bahman Ahmadi?
Meet Bahman Ahmadi, one of 12 Rent Stabilization Board candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
Election 2020: Who is Wendy Saenz Hood Neufeld?
Meet Wendy Saenz Hood Neufeld, one of 12 Rent Stabilization Board candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
Election 2020: Who is Carole Marasovic?
Meet Carole Marasovic, one of 12 Rent Stabilization Board candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
Election 2020: Who is Mari Mendonca?
Meet Mari Mendonca, one of 13 Rent Stabilization Board candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
Homelessness
Berkeley mayor vows to set up sanctioned homeless camp as Willard Park conditions worsen
Six months into the coronavirus pandemic, which has seen an increase in homeless campsites around town, Berkeley is stepping up efforts to tackle problematic behavior and firming up plans for its first sanctioned camp.
‘The leadership that came from the streets has been decapitated’: Deaths of 5 homeless advocates in a year leaves a void
The loss of so many leading Berkeley activists who worked to give unsheltered people a greater say in their living conditions is sorely felt, but the fight will go on, say advocates.
Berkeley nonprofit puts finishing touches to colorful ‘tiny house village’ for youth in Oakland
It’s been a long road for Berkeley’s Youth Spirit Artworks project, which could house 22 homeless youth starting in the fall.
2019 Berkeley Housing Special
The 2019 Berkeley housing pipeline map, a Berkeleyside special report
Berkeleyside has scoured planning documents and our archives to bring you the latest information about housing built, under construction, approved and proposed in Berkeley as of August 2019.
Completed housing projects in Berkeley (August 2019)
Berkeleyside has pored over city records and our own archives to bring you a roundup of many of the larger housing projects that have been completed since 2012. The report was updated in August.
Berkeley’s changing landscape: August 2019 housing roundup
Berkeleyside has pored over city records and done our own reporting to bring you a robust roundup of recent and forthcoming housing developments around the city. This report was updated in August.
Zoning Adjustments Board
With split vote, Berkeley zoning board approves new ‘group living’ project
A 41-unit “group living” project called Poet’s Place was approved Thursday night by a Berkeley zoning board majority.
‘A mini-urban miracle,’ new Berkeley homeless housing could be model for the state
It’s been a big week for subsidized housing in Berkeley. And it just got bigger.
Neighbors fight proposed Verizon cell site in North Berkeley — again
A group of local residents celebrated three years ago when plans for a Verizon cell site in their neighborhood were dropped. Now, many of them are back at it.
101 units at San Pablo, Hearst approved at former Berkeley Midas site
A six-story, 101-unit project proposed in Berkeley at San Pablo and Hearst avenues won near-unanimous approval Thursday night from the zoning board.
Student housing
With all Cal classes online, many students won’t be returning to Berkeley
Students are choosing to live at home or withdraw for the semester. Some are still deciding. Of those who stay enrolled, only 3,200 will be able to stay in on-campus housing.
8 new housing projects approved in Berkeley in 2020
Berkeley’s zoning board has approved eight medium-to-large housing projects around the city in 2020 totalling 560 units. See the roundup.
UC Berkeley is negotiating to buy and potentially tear down 111-year-old rent-controlled building
The four-story apartment complex on Walnut Street sits on land that might become part of a new 850-bed student housing project known as the Gateway.
UC Berkeley hopes to build 16-story housing complex at People’s Park
The building would be part of a complex that could house as many as 1,200 students and 125 community members who need supportive housing. Cal is seeking public comment through April 27.
Housing at BART
Planning Commission approves Adeline plan with 100% affordable housing goal
The commission says the percentage is not a requirement, but an aspiration. Community and BART talks are ongoing.
Ashby, North Berkeley top BART’s list of stations to build housing faster
Berkeley’s efforts to help lead the charge to build hundreds of new apartments at the Ashby and North Berkeley BART stations have landed the city at the top of the transit agency’s list for short-term development plans.
Berkeley approves agreement with BART around housing at two stations
“This is a beginning of a process,” Mayor Jesse Arreguín told a passionate crowd Tuesday.
North Berkeley BART development gains impetus with new state law
BART must determine the zoning for stations by 2020 and Berkeley must update its zoning to reflect that by 2022. One-third of the housing must be affordable and there are height limits.
Affordable housing
In brief
Affordable senior housing project breaks ground in North Berkeley
A new affordable senior housing project next to All Souls Episcopal Parish broke ground in North Berkeley on Wednesday.
West Berkeley Shellmound is now considered one of the U.S.’s 11 most endangered historic places
Native Americans and their supporters hope the designation will help them stop a planned 260-unit development at 1900 Fourth St., a lot that is part of the West Berkeley Shellmound.
Berkeley wins $42 million in grants for 150 units of affordable housing
Mayor Jesse Arreguín said it’s the largest amount he could recall Berkeley ever having gotten from the state for affordable housing over his 16 years serving the city.
Alameda County to lease 2 hotels in Berkeley for homeless housing
As many as 60 people from Berkeley will now move indoors from shelters or tents.
Commercial development
Capoeira school secures funding from Berkeley to help purchase its building
The 40-year-old Capoeira Foundation has brought thousands to Berkeley and now hopes to own its home.
Former Berkeley school to become 50,000-square-foot home, artist colony
Neighbors are pleased a Finnish tech entrepreneur-turned-artist is improving the site, but some are worried about continued public access.
Berkeley City Club will be ‘endangered’ unless needed repairs are funded
As the beautiful building designed by Julia Morgan prepares to celebrate its 100th birthday, it is also kicking off a 10-year, $10 million effort to finance long-deferred structural repairs.
South Berkeley neighbors say new YEAH! youth shelter location won’t work
A proposal to move a longstanding emergency shelter for youth from University Avenue to South Berkeley met with steep resistance from neighbors Tuesday night.
Housing Trust Fund
Berkeley’s most ambitious homeless housing project ever breaks ground
The project also includes 89 units of affordable housing, at 50%-60% of the area median income, that will be available to the general public on a lottery basis. It is slated to open in 2022.
Downtown Berkeley Harold Way deal for 18 stories, 300 units is officially over
The city has decided not to grant developer Hill Street Realty more time to secure financing for the 18-story Berkeley Plaza project on Harold Way.
Downtown Berkeley’s Harold Way saga ain’t over yet
Efforts are afoot at City Hall to see if the 18-story, $150 million mixed-use housing complex planned on Harold Way may still, in fact, be viable — even though the developer told the city that he had scrapped the plans.
Urban planning
Can Berkeley’s Civic Center become the heart of the city? Gehl Studio thinks so
The city has asked the community to help reimagine how Civic Center works with the goal of transforming it from a largely empty space into Berkeley’s “main square.”
To ease student housing crunch, Berkeley starts process to increase density in the Southside
It will take a year for changes to come before the Berkeley City Council, but they could include room for three more high-rise residential buildings.
Can an unfinished but ‘usable’ basement space be taxed? Berkeley says ‘yes’ and the courts have agreed
A number of property owners are challenging how the city assesses special taxes. They believe they have been overcharged and are seeking redress.
California Restaurant Association sues Berkeley over natural gas ban
The California Restaurant Association filed a lawsuit against the city of Berkeley in federal court Thursday over its decision in July to ban natural gas in many new buildings.
Architecture
Finnish entrepreneur’s costly vision to transform historic school gets go-ahead
This week, the Berkeley City Council approved plans by the man behind the “Finnish Amazon” to turn the landmarked Hillside School into a home and artist colony.
A ‘Moorish-Tudor fever dream’ is unveiled on Telegraph Avenue
It’s been described as a cave dwelling, a wizard’s house and a Moorish palace. A recently unveiled building to house UC Berkeley students has been a long time coming — and its unusual design is causing a stir.
Last vacant lot on landmarked Greenwood Common is for sale
The site, known for its mid-century homes, isn’t under protective status, but current residents hope the new owner will “be respectful and honor the Common.”
Accusations of elder abuse and lies swirl around landmarking process for Save the Bay founder’s home
The Landmarks Preservation Commission will hold a hearing tonight on whether to designate 1450 and 1440 Hawthorne city landmarks. In the meantime, the owners have filed a lawsuit against one another.
