COVID-19 Vaccines, New Affordable Housing, and More Berkeley News

Small Sites Program Creates Two Permanently Affordable Buildings

This 13-unit building in North Berkeley is one of two buildings renovated this month under the Small Sites Program.

In 2019, the City partnered with the Bay Area Community Land Trust (BACLT) on implementing a pilot of the Small Sites Program (SSP). I had introduced the SSP in 2017 as a way to purchase buildings with 5-25 units and convert them into affordable housing. This month, the first two projects opened their doors. 

The first building, located on Stuart Street in South Berkeley, is owned by the McGee Avenue Baptist Church who wanted to find a way to renovate an adjacent building that had fallen into disrepair and stood vacant. By partnering with BACLT, they were able to secure the funding. The building with eight units was completely remodeled, converting a once blighted building into an affordable and accessible place of community. 

This week, a 13-unit apartment building on Solano Ave celebrated its conversion to affordable housing, becoming the second affordable housing project in North Berkeley to be completed this year. Just three years ago, the residents were given eviction notices under the Ellis Act, when a property owner decides to take a building off the market. But through the Small Sites Program, the BACLT was able to purchase the property and renovate it, allowing residents who had not already moved on to remain in their homes. 

Both of these projects created new affordable housing by preserving and renovating existing units, at a cost significantly lower than building from scratch. While new housing stock is also needed, the Small Sites Program has proven to be a useful tool at converting existing buildings into affordable housing, providing new opportunities for families who otherwise would not be able to afford living in Berkeley.

Book an Appointment for the COVID-19 Bivalent Vaccine

The bivalent “Omicron” booster is now available for anyone over the age of 12 at all City of Berkeley coordinated vaccine sites. Anyone can get a vaccine for FREE at any of the City clinics regardless of insurance or immigration status.

Individuals 12 years of age and older who have completed the primary two dose series are eligible for a single booster dose of the Pfizer Bivalent booster if it has been at least two months since they have completed their primary vaccine series or most recent booster. This booster incorporates both the original COVID-19 vaccine and the new one that protects against the highly contagious BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of Omicron.

Getting the bivalent booster now will help increase immunity and reduce the impacts of a potential new surge during the winter months. For additional information about vaccines, including options for booking an appointment, click here.

HARD HATS Proposal to Improve Labor Standards, Increase Affordable Housing

The Mayor introduced the HARD HATS Ordinance with Labor officials and construction workers earlier this month.

This month, the City Council approved a referral to develop the Helping Achieve Responsible Development with Healthcare and Apprenticeship Training Standards (HARD HATS) Ordinance. During a time when the City has been asked to produce 9,000 units of housing over the next eight years, California faces labor shortage among the construction workforce. A key reason for this is a lack of apprenticeship programs and benefits such as healthcare. The HARD HATS Ordnance works to address this, requiring apprenticeship programs and healthcare coverage for all developments of at least 50,000 square feet in Berkeley.

This proposal will help meet the City’s General Plan goals on housing production by reducing construction delays on affordable housing due to a lack of skilled workers, in addition to providing adequate healthcare to employees in a job that has higher rates of injuries compared to other industries (one out of five insurance claims for a significant injury involves a construction worker, despite making up one out of 25 jobs in California). Advancing apprenticeship programs and training will also improve safety and worker retention.

The ordinance is currently being finalized by the City Attorney and is expected to return to City Council for approval in December.

State of the City of October 13

I look forward to presenting the 2022 State of the City on Thursday, October 13 at 6pm to update you on the recent work we have accomplished and exciting projects that are coming in the next year.

We will send out another email soon with additional details, including the location and how to RSVP. This will be a hybrid event where you will have the option of either attending in-person or watching online.

Register to Vote for the 2022 Election

The deadline to register to vote in time for the election on November 8th is October 24th. If you have recently moved, turned 18, or have changed your name, be sure to register or update your registration. It is always safe to double check your registration status to make sure your information is correct. 

If you miss the deadline, you can still vote provisionally by registering at a vote center or at the Registrar of Voters office between October 24 and November 8. If you register after October 24, your ballot will be processed and counted after the Registrar of Voters has verified your registration. That verification takes time, so these "conditional ballots" will not be counted in election night results.

For additional information, click here.