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Teachers are not the only sector of society struggling to afford high Berkeley rents. So Berkeley should not treat them preferentially by building them housing. We need affordable housing for all.
One way to celebrate the anniversary would be to finish the vision of the artist Jean LaMarr, who wanted to create a Native garden around the mural she painted in 1975. Berkeley is now considering funding the idea.
A year ago, the author had a job that paid six figures and was living in a nice house. He lost his job, broke up with his partner, and found himself without a home. Living in an RV has helped him get back on his feet.
The soda tax has generated $5 million. It has been invested into programs serving those traditionally targeted by soda beverage companies.
The tax has worked because it has reduced consumption of soda and other sugary beverages.
Soda taxes don’t seem to work — at least not yet. More effective policies are needed to reduce the human and social costs of poor nutrition in California.
Berkeley is the only city around that does not enforce its 72-hour parking rule. That has attracted more than 200 RVs, which are negatively impacting the businesses and resident of West Berkely.
There are many better sites for building housing than the North Berkeley BART station. San Pablo Avenue corridor is well-suited for multi-family homes, for instance.
Berkeley provides sanctuary to immigrants fleeing poverty and violence. Yet it won't provide sanctuary to those inside its own borders who need help: the homeless living in RVs. This must change.
Berkeley is unaffordable for teachers, office workers city staff — those called the "missing middle." Berkeley should approve a study that looks at how to put more units in areas now reserved for single-family homes.
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