A regional bond measure could fund affordable development in Oakland, Berkeley, and beyond at a size and scale never seen before.
Natalie Orenstein
Natalie Orenstein reports on housing and homelessness for The Oaklandside. Natalie was a Berkeleyside staff reporter from early 2017 to May 2020. She had previously contributed to the site since 2012, when she started as an intern. Orenstein covered a range of beats for Berkeleyside, focusing primarily on education. Her 2018 three-part series "Beyond the Buses" explored the legacy of Berkeley’s historic voluntary school integration, earning her the Society of Professional Journalists NorCal’s long-form storytelling award and a finalist position in the Education Writers Association National Awards for Education Reporting. Orenstein's reporting has also appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, the J Weekly, the San Francisco Bay Guardian and elsewhere. Natalie is a proud Berkeley native and only strayed from the Bay Area once, to attend Pomona College.
Posted inCity
‘Desperation’ and ‘bitterness’ in Alameda County eviction court
The end of the eviction moratoriums has brought an unprecedented wave of lawsuits as landlords and tenants attempt to resolve conflicts.
Posted inHousing & Development
At Alameda County eviction court, one judge tries to swim through a tsunami
With pandemic eviction moratoriums over, cases have shot up and the court is overwhelmed. Meet the sole judge handling the influx.
Posted inSchools
Peralta colleges ask state for $52 million for student housing
Students say a proposed 306-bed dorm in Alameda is not enough. The district oversees four community colleges, including Berkeley City College.
Posted inArts
Will small local movie theaters survive?
Movie houses have closed in Berkeley and across the East Bay. We checked in on the New Parkway, the Piedmont Theatre, and the Grand Lake Theatre in Oakland.
Posted inBusiness
Doctors strike at East Bay clinics serving low-income, homeless patients
Health care workers at LifeLong Medical Care are calling attention to working conditions at Berkeley and Oakland clinics.
Posted inHousing & Development
Why we created an affordable housing guide for Berkeley and Oakland
We often hear from residents eager to find an inexpensive, safe place to live in the East Bay. We published a resource guide to help.
Posted inCity
A guide to affordable housing in Berkeley
In this guide, we compiled tips and resources that explain low-income housing requirements and how to apply for affordable housing.
Posted inCity
Memorial honors the hundreds of unhoused people who died in Alameda County this year
A new effort to track every local homeless death has found that unhoused people are six times likelier than others to die.
Posted inObituaries
With obituaries, we share Berkeley’s history through the people who lived it
Berkeleyside has published free obituaries written by members of the community for over 13 years. Here’s why.
Posted inCity
More than a newspaper: For its vendors, Street Spirit provided a job and fostered friendships
The East Bay homeless publication has lost its funding. If it’s not revived, dozens will lose income, and customers will lose connection.
Posted inHousing & Development
Evictions cases are rising fast after end of Alameda County moratorium
Oakland’s moratorium is still in place but ends in July. Berkeley’s expires Aug. 31.
