Housing Updates, Street Safety, and More Berkeley News
Street Safety Projects Move Forward
Consistent with the goals of Vision Zero, efforts are underway to advance multiple projects within the Transportation Division to improve safety. Recently completed projects include safety improvements at Claremont Ave/Russell St, Ashby Ave/Newbury St, and Dwight Way/California St. Projects that are currently under construction include access improvements at North Berkeley BART, safety improvements at all MLK Jr Way intersections between Dwight Way and Russell St, improvements at the Gilman Interchange, and Southside Complete Streets.
Some projects have been delayed due to staffing shortages, with peak vacancies occurring in 2022. During the pandemic, cities throughout the country saw more retirements, resignations, and job transfers than new hires, resulting in staffing shortages. To remedy this, the City Manager’s Office and Human Resources have been working on new hiring programs. During the first half of 2023, these efforts have resulted in two people being hired for every employee lost. While it will take more time for vacancies to reach pre-pandemic levels, the progress being made this year is encouraging. Additionally, other resources, such as temporary staffing and consultants, are being used to increase staff capacity within the Transportation Division to move forward on critical projects. For additional information on the status of various Transportation projects and ongoing staff recruitment efforts, click here.
Affordable Housing Bond Community Meeting
Supervisor Keith Carson is sponsoring a community meeting to provide information and gather thoughts about a possible $10 to $20 billion Bay Area-wide affordable housing bond that is being proposed for the November 2024 ballot.
If approved by the voters, the regional bond will provide billions of dollars for the construction of an estimated 45,000 affordable homes, serving over 500,000 residents over the coming decades. This measure will also raise billions for preservation of existing affordable housing and ensure protection for at-risk tenants. General obligation bonds are funded through property taxes, so a $10 billion bond would place a tax of $10.26 on $100,000 in assessed value—or about $100 per year for a million-dollar home.
The Alameda County Board of Supervisors is partnering with the County Housing and Community Development Department on public information and input sessions.
The community meeting is on October 26 at 5:00pm at the Ed Roberts Campus located at 3075 Adeline Street in Berkeley and will also be able to be viewed online.
To RSVP to participate in-person, click here. To RSVP to participate online, click here.
Stay Up to Date on Vaccines
Respiratory illnesses caused by COVID-19, the flu, and RSV increase during the fall and winter. While these viruses typically present mild symptoms in healthy adults, they can cause severe illness in seniors and those with preexisting respiratory conditions or those who are immunocompromised. The best way to protect yourself and others is to get vaccinated. Every year, an updated flu vaccine is provided based on the most prominent strains. Similarly, a new COVID-19 vaccine has recently been approved which provides protection against the latest major variants. New this year is a vaccine for RSV, which is recommended for adults 60 and over and infants 19 months and younger (the two age groups at highest risk to severe illness from RSV). Consult your healthcare provider to book an appointment. Both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be administered at the same time.
Emergency Housing Vouchers Support 875 Households in Alameda County
One aspect of the comprehensive American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was the creation of 70,000 Emergency Housing Vouchers which were granted to public housing authorities across the country through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Alameda County was administered 875 vouchers, which were provided through the collective efforts of the Berkeley Housing Authority, Housing Authority of the City of Alameda, Oakland Housing Authority, and the Housing Authority of the County of Alameda.
51 of these vouchers were provided to the Berkeley Housing Authority. Through partnering with various community agencies, 92% of these vouchers have been successfully leased as of September 30th. The remaining voucher holders are currently being assisted by the BHA as they search for appropriate accommodations. In most cases, applicants were referred to BHA by the Alameda County Continuum of Care.
Solar Permitting Streamlining
Transitioning to solar energy on residential homes is an effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase resiliency. Berkeley has been at the forefront of statewide efforts to streamline permitting for electrification projects, with 900 permits being issued for solar photovoltaic, electric vehicle charging, and energy storage systems so far this year.
Last year, SB 379 was passed, which required local jurisdictions to implement real-time solar permitting. This is typically done through SolarAPP+, a public domain software launched by the Department of Energy. Over the past year, the City has been working to integrate and implement the SolarAPP+ software into the City’s permitting process. This new system went live last month, with the first project being approved earlier this month. Through this program, projects that qualify can get a permit as quickly as the same day their application was submitted.
In addition to having accelerated solar permitting approvals, the Bay Area SunShares Program provides discounted options for solar and storage through group purchasing. Homeowners interested in participating in this program must sign up by November 15th. Learn more at a virtual webinar that will take place on November 1st. Finally, homeowners may be eligible for a 30% solar federal tax credit through the Inflation Reduction Act.
United Against Hate Week 2023
This year, United Against Hate Week will take place on November 12th -18th. First started in Berkeley in 2017, in response to far-right provocateurs who wanted to impose fear and hatred in our community, United Against Hate has grown into a nationwide movement. Statewide, CA vs. Hate has been working in partnership with organizations to support individuals and communities targeted by hate crimes and improve awareness and reporting of hate crimes. Since its inception, United Against Hate Week has spread to over 200+ communities, faith-based groups, LGBTQ+ and human rights organizations, and is expanding throughout the country.
Everyone is invited to join the kick-off event at Civic Center Park (2151 MLK Jr Way) on November 13th at 10am, cosponsored by the City of Berkeley, Not in Our Town, LA vs. Hate, and CA vs. Hate.
For a full list of events, visit the United Against Hate Week website. More events will be posted as we get closer to the date.