housing

Expressed concern over late-introduced council amendments and community representation.

Questioned whether building more market-rate housing solves affordability and economic issues.

Expressed concern over pedestrian safety and traffic injuries on city streets.

Thanked the council for supporting the Creations Berkeley dance group on the consent calendar.

Reported maintenance and property concerns regarding a neighboring historic building and commercial smoke shop notices.

Expressed frustration with rental housing inspection notices and scheduling burdens for long-term owner-occupants.

Presented architectural illustrations supporting the electrical transformer undergrounding ordinance.

Shared experiences as a Model-Miller-Sherick resident and suggested ongoing advocacy for applicants who do not win housing lotteries.

Spoke on behalf of the Housing Action Coalition in support of the transformer undergrounding ordinance with suggestions for objective exceptions.

Supported the transformer undergrounding ordinance, noting decades of experience burying transformers without issue.

Spoke in favor of the transformer undergrounding ordinance, citing project impacts from PG&E siting requirements.

Raised concerns about extremely low-income housing needs and housing stability for vulnerable residents.

Discussed historical displacement, median income gaps, and the need for deeper affordability in housing.

Praised staff reports on Measure O and inclusionary housing, highlighting Berkeley as a regional leader in affordable housing.

Spoke about observing United Against Hate Week and called for naming anti-Jewish hate plainly.

Discussed the Turtle Island Monument Project and requested rescinding resolutions regarding non-Native artists.

Expressed support for the anti-hate proclamation and condemned anti-Semitic language in local political campaigns.

Advocated for unity, empathy, and compassion over conflict.

Expressed concern over anti-Semitic tropes and conspiracy theories appearing in local political discussions.

Expressed criticism regarding the San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan and unit sizes for families.

Criticized last-minute amendments to the San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan as a violation of the Brown Act.

Expressed disappointment with council housing policies and the lack of three-bedroom units in new developments.

Reported severe habitability issues, mold, asbestos, and safety failures at Evans Manor (formerly Barrington Hall) owned by the Berkeley Student Cooperative.

Spoke as chair of the Housing Advisory Commission regarding single-family residential floor area deductions and in-lieu fee exemptions.

Warned that market-rate housing does not quickly create affordability and raised First Amendment concerns about council conduct.

Spoke in favor of item 29, representing EBALDC and supporting affordable housing at North Berkeley BART.

Called in to support the mayor's budget, small sites preservation, and honoring voter commitments on Measure U1.

Urged the council not to reallocate Measure U1 funding, emphasizing its cost-effectiveness in keeping people housed.

Argued that small sites programs are vital anti-displacement strategies to maintain racial and economic diversity.

Former Berkeley housing director spoke in favor of small sites preservation and matching state funds.

Represented building trades in discussing past affordable housing bonds and leveraging funds.

Supported the mayor's budget and small sites funding while questioning the legality of reallocating voter-approved funds.

Argued against pitting firefighters against the working class and unhoused residents, strongly supporting Small Sites affordable housing funding.

Advocated strongly for community land trusts and the Small Sites Program, noting that tenants strongly prefer land trust democracy and stability.

Stressed the importance of funding the Small Sites Program to prevent displacement and maintain voter trust in ballot measures.

Urged the council to honor voter commitments by allocating funds to the Small Sites Program for affordable housing preservation.

Expressed concern that diverting Measure U1 funds erodes public trust in city tax measures and housing promises.

Spoke in support of the Small Sites Program, noting it protects residents from speculative markets and keeps community members in Berkeley.

Shared personal experience as a small sites housing recipient, stating she would have been priced out of Berkeley without it.

A resident of a housing cooperative urged the council to reject cuts to small sites and support affordable housing preservation.

Spoke for East Bay Housing Organizations in favor of the mayor's budget, supporting the three-pillar housing approach of production, preservation, and protection.

Expressed concern over attempts to eliminate preservation funding and urged support for all three Ps of housing.

Director of Northern California Land Trust stood with firefighters while urging the rejection of budget memo cuts to housing preservation.

Stressed that small sites funding is critical for preserving existing homes and restoring trust in local government.

Expressed solidarity with firefighters and criticized pitting public safety against housing preservation.

Stressed the severe difficulty of living in Berkeley and the critical need for deeply affordable housing.

Urged the council not to misappropriate Measure U1 funds, warning that it damages voter trust in future ballot measures.

Voiced strong opposition to defunding the Small Sites Program, highlighting its role in preventing low-income displacement.

Stressed the importance of preserving Measure U1 small sites funding to maintain democracy and protect seniors.

Clarified that housing preservation can successfully leverage state and regional funding.

Expressed support for the Small Sites Program and the mayor's budget while emphasizing the importance of firefighters.

Shared her experience living in a housing co-op, urging the council to continue supporting the Small Sites Program.

Former council member criticized reallocating voter-approved housing funds and urged more funding for mental health services.

Expressed support for the Small Sites Program and car-free Telegraph Avenue initiatives.

Urged the council to keep Measure U1 small sites funds for their intended purpose in line with the mayor's recommendation.

Criticized a council member's website regarding housing filtering studies and claimed the cited economic criticisms were deceptive.

Expressed support for items addressing senior homeowner exploitation and housing protections.

Raised concerns about city budget deficits and suggested re-evaluating how the planning department is funded compared to emergency services.

Expressed concern over a signature gatherer allegedly offering energy drinks in exchange for petition signatures, noting it was reported to local authorities.

Offered critical remarks regarding international geopolitical conflicts and foreign relations.

Expressed concern over proposed housing policy changes regarding density bonuses.

Highlighted building maintenance issues and non-functioning elevators in local apartments.

Addressed council regarding recent density bonus appeals and building standards.

Called for greater oversight of emerging nonprofit affordable housing developers.

Spoke about senior housing and statewide efforts to protect seniors and disabled residents from housing instability.