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.
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.
Posted inArts & Community
Oakland Public Library will reopen for in-person book browsing, computer use
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
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.
Posted inOaklandside
Los inquilinos de un edificio en Fruitvale demandan al propietario por las condiciones peligrosas en las que viven
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.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Fruitvale renters sue landlord over ‘atrocious’ mold, rats, and broken faucets
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
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
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
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
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
The West Oakland organization hopes its emergency services can still lead to more homeless people getting a hot meal and housing.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Oakland loses ‘cabin’ homeless shelter near Lake Merritt
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
Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan, citing the racist history of zoning laws, says Oakland should allow four-plexes across the city.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
It’s decided: the Oakland Fire Department will run MACRO, a new non-police emergency response program
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?
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.
Posted inArts & Community
Meet the 13-year-old guerrilla swing-builder making Oakland parks more fun
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
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?
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
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
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
Residents can fill out a 10-minute survey about fires, earthquakes, and extreme weather to help the city prevent and respond to crises.
