Housing Production, Eviction Moratorium, and More Berkeley News
Bright Streets Initiative Advances Vision Zero Goals
Streets near schools, such as Milvia Street near Berkeley High, have well maintained markings as part of Vision Zero.
In 2021, the City Council passed the Bright Streets Initiative, which aims to paint all crosswalks, midlines, bike lanes, and other street markings, clarify and/or improve traffic signage, and paint curbs in areas around Berkeley public schools. This is a component of the Vision Zero Action Plan, which has a target of eliminating traffic deaths and severe injuries on Berkeley’s roads by 2028.
Each year, an annual assessment is done to determine what improvements are needed so they can be resolved in time for the start of the school year. This year, improvements were made around Rosa Parks, Cragmont, Malcom X and Martin Luther King Jr. Last year’s review included improvements at Berkeley High, Cragmont, Oxford, Martin Luther King Jr., Ruth Acty, Rosa Parks, and Washington. Work included refreshing pavement markings; enhancing existing crosswalks to high visibility crosswalks; adding and/or refreshing curb paint for no parking zones, bus zones, and passenger loading zones; adding necessary signage for no-parking and 15 MPH speed limits; and replacing faded regulatory signs.
For requests to improve pavement, markings, curb paint, signage, and other traffic safety features in the streets and sidewalks near a school, please use the City’s 311 service.
Housing Production Across All Levels Accelerates in 2022
More units of housing were approved last year than any other time in recent history. In total, 980 units were issued building permits in 2022, including 94 units of very low-income housing and 58 units of low-income housing. This is almost double the 506 units issued building permits in 2021, and over double the amount of affordable housing. In total, 4,376 units received permits during the 2015-2022 Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) cycle, far exceeding the target of 2,959 units. The development of affordable housing in recent years has far surpassed historic averages. The 2015-2022 RHNA cycle saw Berkeley approve 686 units of affordable housing. For market rate or above moderate income, 3,690 units were approved. In total, Berkeley reached 148% of its RHNA goals for the 2015-2022 cycle. For comparison, the previous RHNA cycle for 2007-2014 saw Berkeley only approve 185 units of affordable housing goals and 1,005 market rate units, or 51% of the RHNA goals.
Much of the increase in the creation of affordable housing can be attributed to the passage of Measure O in 2018, which provided a $135 million bond for the creation of affordable housing in Berkeley. Over 900 new affordable units will be created through these funds. With construction costs rising much higher than the rate of inflation and high interest rates, securing funding for affordable housing remains a serious challenge. A regional housing bond measure is likely to be on the ballot in 2024. Additional funding is necessary in order to achieve the goals of the next RHNA cycle. From 2023-2031, 5,270 units of affordable housing and 3,664 of market rate housing are allocated for Berkeley under RHNA for a total of 8,934 units. Berkeley’s Housing Element which was approved earlier this year shows that it is possible to permit up to 15,000 units during this timeframe.
Eviction Moratorium to End on September 1st
Starting September 1st, 2023, the local eviction moratorium relating to the COVID-19 pandemic will expire. At that time, all evictions for good cause will be allowed as they were pre-pandemic. While tenants are required to pay any unpaid rent that accumulated during the moratorium, this cannot be used as a reason for eviction. A landlord may evict a tenant for nonpayment of rent that becomes due on September 1st or thereafter.
If you are a tenant who is in need of rental assistance, you can contact the Eviction Defense Center at 510-452-4541. Under the Housing Retention Program, households can receive up to $5,000 in a one-time grant. To qualify, you must be at imminent risk of losing housing and have documentation showing either a decrease in income, unexpected medical expenses, fleeing domestic violence, or other unexpected significant expenses. For a full list of requirements and details on how to apply, click here. In addition to the regular Housing Retention Program, households impacted by COVID-19 may qualify for an additional $10,000. The application process is the same. Additional information for tenants and landlords relating to COVID-19 can be found here.
The Campus Interim Housing Opens
The Campus is a 23-unit interim housing site that was formerly a Super 8 Motel. Source: Insight Housing
Last week, The Campus, Berkeley’s newest interim housing program, opened its doors at the former Super 8 motel. Operated by Insight Housing, The Campus provides 23 private rooms that will provide shelter and services to residents previously located at the encampments in the Gilman District. Each room includes a private bathroom, TV, microwave, mini fridge, and twice weekly housekeeping. Other amenities include no curfew, 24/7 on-site security, three meals per day, and pets are allowed. Residents can stay as long as they need while case managers work with them on-site to find permanent housing.
This opening comes after extensive outreach efforts at the encampments around Harrison Street, with the Homeless Response Team providing 107 shelter offers to residents in this area since September 2021, accounting for 23% of all shelter offers provided in Berkeley. Almost 125 tons of debris and garbage has been removed from the area during the same time period. Thanks to funding from multiple sources, including Measure P and State grants, The Campus will be able to stay open for at least four years.
Parks & Recreation Fall and Winter Activity Guide
While the new school year may have just started, there’s still plenty of recreational events that the City will be providing in the coming months. From August through December, dozens of afterschool programs, sports, and other recreational classes and events will be provided for people of all ages, including children, teenagers, adults, and seniors. Visit the Parks & Recreation Department webpage for details, including a list of activities and how to register. Scholarships are available to qualifying low-income residents.
2023 Cal Football Season
The 2023 Cal Football season is just around the corner. Six home games will take place between September 9 through November 11, which will bring increased traffic and parking restrictions to neighborhoods near Memorial Stadium. The six home games are as follows:
September 9, 7:30pm: Auburn
September 16, 1pm: Idaho
September 30, TBA: Arizona State
October 7, TBA: Oregon State
October 28, TBA: USC
November 11, TBA: Washington State
Avoid parking fees of up to $225 or towing by avoiding certain residential areas, or consider taking alternative forms of transportation. For more details, see the parking restrictions and guidelines from the 2022 season. 2023 will have similar rules, which will be posted on the City’s website soon.