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Oakland sideshow hotspots | Where to get free summer meals for kids | We're hiring: Nosh Editor

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

East Oakland family facing eviction says they’ll occupy their home like Moms 4 Housing

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein November 3, 2020November 3, 2020

The case could be the first foreclosure eviction in Alameda County during the pandemic.

Posted inCity Hall & Policing

Spending by independent groups soars in Oakland City Council, school board elections

Natalie Orenstein headshotDarwin BondGraham by Natalie Orenstein and Darwin BondGraham October 27, 2020October 27, 2020

Wealthy individuals, business groups, and unions have poured over $2 million into local races to influence voters.

Posted inCity Hall & Policing

Measure S1: Should Oakland have a stronger Police Commission?

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Saa’un P. Bell, Natalie Orenstein and Lauren Richardson October 26, 2020October 30, 2020

This local ballot initiative would fund a new staff position for the commission, among other changes. Our video explainer provides the details.

Posted inHousing & Homelessness

Oakland has a new homeless camp policy, despite protests

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein October 21, 2020October 21, 2020

Late Tuesday evening, the City Council approved new rules on where and when unhoused people can set up encampments in the city.

Posted inHousing & Homelessness

A controversial homelessness policy comes to the Oakland City Council on Tuesday. Here’s how to watch

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein October 19, 2020October 21, 2020

Tune into what’s likely to be an intense discussion on where and when homeless encampments are allowed in Oakland.

colorful modern apartment building
Posted inHousing & Homelessness

Can you get evicted in Oakland? (And more updated answers about local moratoriums)

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein October 16, 2020December 8, 2020

Still confused about the rules around evictions in Oakland and Alameda County? You’re not alone.

Posted inCity Hall & Policing

Campaign finance becomes a campaign issue in North Oakland

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein October 5, 2020October 21, 2020

Steph Walton has criticized some of Dan Kalb’s contributors, an independent expenditure committee is supporting Walton, and Tri Ngo is refusing large contributions altogether.

Posted inHousing & Homelessness

Caltrans closes another camp, as homeless Oaklanders file hundreds of claims against the state agency

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein September 28, 2020September 28, 2020

The California Department of Transportation shut down an Oakland camp for the first time during the pandemic. Meanwhile, it may have to pay more than $1 million to homeless people in the coming months.

Posted inHousing & Homelessness

When can the city close a homeless camp? Oakland considers new rules

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein September 23, 2020September 23, 2020

The City Council will review a proposed policy that splits the city into zones where people can and can’t sleep.

Posted inHousing & Homelessness

State gives Oakland $20 million for homeless housing

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein September 22, 2020October 29, 2020

Coronavirus relief funds will help convert a former college dorm in Rockridge and 20 single-family homes into 163 units of permanent affordable housing.

Posted inCity Hall & Policing

Wildfires, homeless camps, police: Where Oakland’s District 1 candidates stand

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein September 21, 2020October 7, 2020

We interviewed Dan Kalb, Steph Dominguez Walton, and Tri Ngo about their ideas to solve North Oakland’s biggest problems.

Posted inHousing & Homelessness

Oakland ‘respite centers’ provided clean air, but only after weeks of smoky skies

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Sarah Belle Lin and Natalie Orenstein September 16, 2020September 16, 2020

Hardly anyone came to Oakland’s emergency centers over the past weekend. Did the city act fast enough to set them up and spread the word?

Posted inOaklandside

Le quedan 2 semanas para completar el censo de 2020. He aquí cómo llenar el formulario y por qué es importante

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein September 16, 2020September 16, 2020

“Cuando el censo no cuenta a toda la comunidad, obtenemos menos recursos.”

Posted inCity Hall & Policing

You have 2 weeks left to fill out the 2020 Census. Here’s how, and why it matters

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein September 14, 2020September 18, 2020

“When the census is undercounting Black people and East Oakland people, we get less resources.”

Posted inCity Hall & Policing

District 3 council candidates differ on housing, police, and the meaning of ‘progressive’

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein September 11, 2020October 7, 2020

The Oaklandside interviewed four people running to represent West Oakland and downtown. Here’s where they stand.

Posted inCity Hall & Policing

‘Every house has changed hands’: North Oakland residents talk gentrification, development, and safety

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein September 1, 2020October 7, 2020

We asked District 1 voters what they’d like to see improved in their neighborhoods as the November 3 election nears.

Modern glass building, 4 stories
Posted inHousing & Homelessness

Oakland wants to buy more than 20 buildings for homeless and COVID-19 housing

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein August 27, 2020August 28, 2020

The city has asked the state for $37 million to buy two hotels, a dorm, and a bunch of houses, significantly expanding homeless and at-risk housing options.

Posted inCity Hall & Policing

Affordable housing, pollution, and baseball: Oakland District 3 voters sound off on the issues

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein August 24, 2020October 7, 2020

We asked people who live and work in West Oakland, downtown, and Jack London about the biggest problems and opportunities in their neighborhoods.

Posted inCity Hall & Policing

Oakland City Council candidates discuss issues in their districts, virtually

Darwin BondGrahamAzucena Rasilla headshotRicky Rodas headshotNatalie Orenstein headshot by Darwin BondGraham, Azucena Rasilla, Ricky Rodas and Natalie Orenstein August 19, 2020October 6, 2020

The Coliseum, housing, police budgets: in an online forum last night, incumbents defended their records and challengers laid out visions for change.

Posted inHousing & Homelessness

County deal to buy old Lake Merritt Lodge for COVID-19 shelter collapses

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein August 13, 2020August 13, 2020

The historic six-story Oakland building would have housed dozens of homeless people during and after the pandemic.

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