Gov. Gavin Newsom announced new funds for Project Roomkey this week, but it’s unclear if the additional money will keep enough people sheltered while the state and county work on longer-term housing options.
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 inHousing & Homelessness
East Oakland homeless residents on edge as city moves to close camp and a massive fire breaks out
An empty building burned down Friday next to an encampment the state has ordered Oakland to shutter.
Posted inHow We Work
Homeless? Unhoused? Unsheltered? Word choice matters when reporting on Oaklanders who don’t have permanent housing
As a newsroom, we’re committed to working with community members to define their experiences. Here’s what we learned.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Did renters’ rights shape Oakland elections this year?
As Carroll Fife declares victory in D3, voters appear to have put their confidence in candidates who share a goal: protecting tenants.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
East Oakland family facing eviction says they’ll occupy their home like Moms 4 Housing
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
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?
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
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
Tune into what’s likely to be an intense discussion on where and when homeless encampments are allowed in Oakland.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Can you get evicted in Oakland? (And more updated answers about local moratoriums)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
“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
“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’
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
We asked District 1 voters what they’d like to see improved in their neighborhoods as the November 3 election nears.
