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Oakland City Council's plan to tackle crime | Rift in local NAACP | Fired OPD chief feels 'vindicated' by new report | Broadway 'bulb-outs'

Natalie Orenstein headshot

Author Archives: Natalie Orenstein

Natalie Orenstein covers housing and homelessness for The Oaklandside. She was previously on staff at Berkeleyside, where her extensive reporting on the legacy of school desegregation received recognition from the Society of Professional Journalists NorCal and the Education Writers Association. Natalie’s reporting has also appeared in The J Weekly, The San Francisco Chronicle and elsewhere, and she’s written about public policy for a number of research institutes and think tanks. Natalie lives in Oakland, grew up in Berkeley, and has only left her beloved East Bay once, to attend Pomona College.

natalie@oaklandside.org
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Posted inHousing & Homelessness

Aquí le decimos como tanto inquilinos y propietarios de Oakland pueden solicitar ayuda de emergencia para pagar el alquiler

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein April 13, 2021April 13, 2021

Si usted o su inquilino no han pagado el alquiler debido a la crisis de COVID-19, es posible que califique para recibir ayuda a través de dos programas nuevos.

Posted inArts & Community

Oakland Public Library will reopen for in-person book browsing, computer use

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein April 7, 2021April 12, 2021

OPL Express will launch at 16 branches on April 19, offering limited indoor services with safety measures.

Posted inHousing & Homelessness

‘Storm of negligence’: Investigators find systemic ethics issues in Oakland’s housing department

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein April 6, 2021April 6, 2021

Two employees allegedly violated conflict-of-interest and anti-nepotism rules. The Public Ethics Commission says a lack of training and policies is the bigger issue.

1821 28th Ave, a 6-unit apartment building where tenants are on rent strike over habitability issues.
Posted inOaklandside

Los inquilinos de un edificio en Fruitvale demandan al propietario por las condiciones peligrosas en las que viven

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein April 5, 2021April 5, 2021

Ellos afirman que el propietario está infringiendo las leyes de vivienda de Oakland y California. Las viviendas tienen problemas de roedores, moho y grifos que no funcionan.

1821 28th Ave, a 6-unit apartment building where tenants are on rent strike over habitability issues.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness

Fruitvale renters sue landlord over ‘atrocious’ mold, rats, and broken faucets

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein April 5, 2021April 5, 2021

A group of Spanish-speaking tenants claim their landlord is breaking Oakland and California housing laws with dangerous living conditions.

Posted inHousing & Homelessness

Here’s how Oakland tenants and landlords can apply for emergency rent help

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein April 2, 2021April 2, 2021

If you or your tenant has missed rent payments because of the COVID-19 crisis, you might qualify for aid through two new programs.

Posted inHousing & Homelessness

Oakland closes a Fruitvale homeless camp, putting its new encampment policy in action

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein March 25, 2021March 25, 2021

The controversial policy was approved by the City Council last year, but it’s largely gone unenforced.

Posted inHousing & Homelessness

Oakland eyes old Lake Merritt Lodge and hotels for homeless shelters

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein March 23, 2021March 30, 2021

City staffers say Oakland could use federal funding and an expected state grant opportunity to lease and then own hotels.

Posted inHousing & Homelessness

Oakland takes a step toward banning single-family zoning

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein March 17, 2021March 17, 2021

The City Council voted unanimously to look into allowing fourplexes citywide and removing long-standing laws that officials called “exclusionary.”

Posted inHousing & Homelessness

‘Food is love’: After closing its winter homeless shelter, Oakland’s St. Mary’s Center tried something new

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein March 12, 2021March 12, 2021

The West Oakland organization hopes its emergency services can still lead to more homeless people getting a hot meal and housing.

A gated section of the parking lot next to Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center. Previously, Lake Merritt Community Cabins, an emergency intervention housing site was located here.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness

Oakland loses ‘cabin’ homeless shelter near Lake Merritt

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein March 10, 2021March 16, 2021

The city was unable to find a new location for the “Community Cabins,” resulting in the loss of 40 shelter beds.

Posted inHousing & Homelessness

Berkeley moved toward banning single-family zoning. Oakland could take a first step

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein March 4, 2021March 4, 2021

Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan, citing the racist history of zoning laws, says Oakland should allow four-plexes across the city.

students holding signs at a Black Lives Matter rally
Posted inCity Hall & Policing

It’s decided: the Oakland Fire Department will run MACRO, a new non-police emergency response program

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein March 3, 2021March 8, 2021

Should a city department run MACRO, or should it be outsourced to a nonprofit? After weeks of heated debate, the council moves ahead.

Posted inHousing & Homelessness

How will homeless people get the COVID-19 vaccine in Alameda County?

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein March 1, 2021March 1, 2021

The county has begun administering shots at shelters, ahead of the state’s schedule, but it’s a challenge to reach everyone living on the streets.

Youth from Oakland installs swings in residential neighborhoods and parks around Oakland
Posted inArts & Community

Meet the 13-year-old guerrilla swing-builder making Oakland parks more fun

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein February 25, 2021March 1, 2021

Fighting quarantine boredom, Jack Carlisle decided to hang 50 homemade swings across the city, from Jack London Square to Dimond Park.

Posted inHousing & Homelessness

Renters and landlords can learn about their rights at these housing workshops

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein February 24, 2021February 24, 2021

Free online sessions offered by Oakland’s Rent Adjustment Program cover rent increases, harassment, evictions, repairs, and more.

Posted inCity Hall & Policing

Why has this Eastlake lot sat empty for years?

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein February 19, 2021February 19, 2021

UrbanCore says COVID-19 has thwarted its chances of starting construction on its 361-unit Lakehouse Commons apartment complex, which has drawn controversy for years.

Posted inHousing & Homelessness

East Oakland homeless camp still standing, despite state orders

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein February 12, 2021February 12, 2021

What happens at Union Point Park could shed light on Oakland’s practices under its new encampment policy.

Posted inHousing & Homelessness

Oakland got millions in COVID-19 homeless funds. Now it’s running out

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein February 11, 2021February 11, 2021

Oakland must use $44 million in emergency housing funds before it expires. City staff and activists say it wasn’t enough in the first place.

Posted inHealth & Environment

Help Oakland prevent—or better prepare for—the next disaster

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein February 8, 2021February 8, 2021

Residents can fill out a 10-minute survey about fires, earthquakes, and extreme weather to help the city prevent and respond to crises.

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