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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 tenants can’t return to flooded building for another week or more

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein January 9, 2023January 11, 2023

City inspectors are determining the extent of the damage at Coliseum Connections. Last week, tenants held an emotional meeting with officials.

Pieces of tarp and fabric fly in the wind. A tent is in background.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness

Oakland faces calls for more homeless shelters as storm bears down

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein January 4, 2023January 4, 2023

It is unclear whether Oakland is increasing its shelter capacity as unhoused residents and advocates scramble for protection from a “bomb cyclone.”

Posted inHousing & Homelessness

Flood displaces hundreds from East Oakland apartment complex

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein January 3, 2023January 11, 2023

Residents of Coliseum Connections, a mixed-income community on 71st Avenue, were told to evacuate New Year’s Day after rainwater swamped the garage.

About 12 people of different ages and demographics sit on the steps of an old house.
Posted inHow We Work

Oakland’s housing and homelessness programs faced scrutiny in 2022

Natalie Orenstein headshotDarwin BondGraham by Natalie Orenstein and Darwin BondGraham December 26, 2022December 23, 2022

Reporter Natalie Orenstein spoke about the past year of news on her beat, from rent caps to encampment sweeps.

A man in a neon vest grins with his thumbs up. Behind him are dozens of full garbage bags.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness

Memorial honors the hundreds of unhoused people who died in Alameda County this year

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein December 22, 2022December 23, 2022

A new effort to track every local homeless death has found that unhoused people are five times likelier than others to die.

Posted inHousing & Homelessness

A lavish Christmas party caps a tumultuous year on Wood Street

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein December 19, 2022December 19, 2022

Unhoused residents and friends gathered for an elaborate celebration this weekend, knowing the city plans to close the encampment in January.

Posted inHousing & Homelessness

Duplex housing law hasn’t had big impact on Oakland, so far

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein December 12, 2022December 12, 2022

SB9 went into effect a year ago, to much fanfare and criticism. Its roll-out in Oakland has been very slow.

Posted inHousing & Homelessness

Election hands setbacks, wins to renters and landlords in Oakland and Alameda County

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein December 7, 2022December 7, 2022

Rebecca Kaplan lost the District 3 race to Lena Tam, who could be the deciding vote to end the county’s eviction moratorium. But a renter-friendly majority controls Oakland City Council with an ally in the mayor’s office.

Posted inHealth & Environment

Flood advisory for Oakland on Thursday morning

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein December 1, 2022December 2, 2022

The National Weather Service and city of Oakland have tips on staying safe and dry in the rain.

Firefighters on and around a fire truck. A dome is visible in the distance
Posted inHousing & Homelessness

Oakland spends $120 million a year on homelessness. Could it do more?

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein November 28, 2022November 29, 2022

New estimates say it would cost a staggering $4.5 billion to house all homeless residents, but some officials say the city could be more creative.

Posted inHousing & Homelessness

Judge allows Oakland eviction moratorium to stand, for now

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein November 23, 2022November 23, 2022

The order is a blow to landlords who sued Oakland and Alameda County this year, but the case is not over.

Posted inHousing & Homelessness

East Oakland residents ‘fed up’ with dumping and safety hazards in flatlands

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein November 18, 2022November 18, 2022

Community groups are pressing the city to clean up a blighted intersection, but their demands raise questions about the fate of homeless camps there.

city workers and dump truck behind caution tape
Posted inHousing & Homelessness

Plan for ‘safe work zones’ around homeless camps alarms advocates

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein November 15, 2022November 15, 2022

Oakland officials say the tool is needed to protect workers from harassment, but some say it would criminalize unhoused people and supporters.

Posted inCity Hall & Policing

Oakland City Council races: Janani Ramachandran declares victory in District 4

Natalie Orenstein headshotAzucena Rasilla headshotRicky Rodas headshot by Natalie Orenstein, Azucena Rasilla and Ricky Rodas November 10, 2022November 10, 2022

Nikki Fortunato Bas and Kevin Jenkins maintain comfortable leads in districts 2 and 6, respectively.

Posted inCity Hall & Policing

Who’s leading the Oakland City Council races?

Azucena Rasilla headshotNatalie Orenstein headshotRicky Rodas headshot by Azucena Rasilla, Natalie Orenstein and Ricky Rodas November 9, 2022November 10, 2022

Three candidates have established large leads, but a majority of ballots remain to be counted.

Posted inHousing & Homelessness

Oakland homelessness programs in danger after Newsom pauses funding

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein November 4, 2022November 4, 2022

A surprise announcement from the governor puts a hold on a $1 billion statewide grant, including $24 million for Oakland shelters.

Photo taken on elevated train tracks, overlooking a neighborhood
Posted inHousing & Homelessness

Oakland explores new model for funding affordable housing development

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein November 2, 2022November 2, 2022

The City Council voted to explore an “enhanced infrastructure financing district,” or EIFD, but it’s just the first step.

a backyard cottage, with an outdoor table and chairs in the foreground
Posted inHousing & Homelessness

Oakland loan program helps homeowners convert illegal second units into ADUs

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein October 31, 2022October 31, 2022

The Accessory Dwelling Unit Loan Program is accepting applications from East Oakland and West Oakland homeowners.

A man stands in front of an RV parked on the street.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness

New film depicts life on Oakland’s streets—from homeless filmmakers’ perspectives

Natalie Orenstein headshot by Natalie Orenstein October 28, 2022October 28, 2022

“We R Here” started as an experiment and ended as a revealing 55-minute portrait.

Posted inCity Hall & Policing

Oakland’s election is heating up: Big spending by PACs, strategic alliances, and tweet backlash

Darwin BondGrahamNatalie Orenstein headshot by Darwin BondGraham and Natalie Orenstein October 26, 2022October 26, 2022

A Kanye comment lands a candidate in hot water. Astonishing spending from unions and coal terminal developers. And more twists and turns.

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