Man struck in roadway during mental health crisis, police seek driver
The driver left the area in what police described as a “lowered, dark-color, mid 90’s sedan, with tinted windows (possibly a Nissan Altima).”
Homelessness
Top Stories
2 men who died of suspected drug overdoses at Berkeley park identified
Police believe the deaths at Civic Center Park resulted from a “bad batch” of drugs laced with fentanyl.
Berkeley looks at $7M earmark for expanded mental health services
Most of the money is for a new Specialized Care Unit that would respond instead of armed police to people in crisis.
People’s Park Kitchen springs up to ease food insecurity during pandemic
The semi-permanent kitchen says it has provided over 5,000 meals since March
Police: Man with Molotov cocktails, machete arrested again in Berkeley
Police had been looking for Marty Schwind for a week, BPD said, after he had reportedly thrown a Molotov cocktail at a passing train.
Berkeley City Council
‘The leadership that came from the streets has been decapitated’: Deaths of 5 homeless advocates in a year leaves a void
The loss of so many leading Berkeley activists who worked to give unsheltered people a greater say in their living conditions is sorely felt, but the fight will go on, say advocates.
In brief
Barbara Brust spends her time helping those who are unsheltered. Now she needs the help
Brust runs Consider the Homeless which delivers soup, food and groceries to those living on the streets of Berkeley. She now has advanced cancer and needs funds for her medical care.
Berkeley launches new 3-site ‘respite program’ for unhoused people
The city of Berkeley is set to move dozens of unhoused people into 18 RVs and a rehabbed house as part of a new respite program approved by officials Tuesday night in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Landlords can’t conduct criminal background checks in Berkeley anymore
The Berkeley City Council unanimously approved the “fair chance” legislation Tuesday, after hearing emotional testimony.
Affordable housing
In brief
Alameda County program aims to match landlords with people transitioning out of homelessness
Berkeley says the initiative means property owners can receive a stable rental income while supporting the health of the community.
‘A mini-urban miracle,’ new Berkeley homeless housing could be model for the state
It’s been a big week for subsidized housing in Berkeley. And it just got bigger.
Berkeley wins $42 million in grants for 150 units of affordable housing
Mayor Jesse Arreguín said it’s the largest amount he could recall Berkeley ever having gotten from the state for affordable housing over his 16 years serving the city.
Alameda County to lease 2 hotels in Berkeley for homeless housing
As many as 60 people from Berkeley will now move indoors from shelters or tents.
Coronavirus
Berkeley emergency homeless shelter closes for the season, relocates some residents
The BESS ran from November to April this year, and remained open 24 hours a day with reduced capacity.
How to access your stimulus check if you’re homeless in Berkeley
If you do not automatically receive your payment via direct deposit or in the mail, this guide will help point you in the right direction.
Berkeley mobile clinic offers COVID-19 vaccines at shelters, People’s Park
Several people who received a single-dose vaccine Thursday at People’s Park said they felt relieved to be fully vaccinated.
Funds for Alameda County’s COVID-19 hotel shelter program are dwindling
It’s unclear what will happen to the 1,200 people currently housed in the hotels once funding runs out.
RV living
‘Quarantine Diary’ captures the experience of living in an RV in Berkeley
Multimedia journalist Yesica Prado has spent the past year examining the local culture of vehicle living. She created a short film that documents her own daily life living in an RV.
Council votes to launch nightly RV parking program in some municipal lots
The city of Berkeley is moving ahead with a plan to grant three-month renewable permits to 25 RV dwellers so they can stay overnight at certain municipal parking lots once the program is up and running.
Berkeley could open sites for overnight parking for 25 RVs
Up to 25 select, vulnerable RV households would get access to the “safe parking” sites if Tuesday’s City Council proposal passes.
Recent stories
2 men found dead in downtown Berkeley park, 1 man hospitalized
Police do not believe foul play was involved.
New West Berkeley 24-hour emergency homeless shelter to open July 1
Dorothy Day House will operate the emergency city homeless shelter from July 1 until September 2022.
Kiovonni LaRoyce Lyles, 28, identified as man found dead at People’s Park
Lyles was inspired by Bay Area hip-hop music and hoped to be a producer.
Driver crashes into Berkeley homeless camp, pins man under car
The driver may have lost control and struck a fence, trapping the man under her white Toyota sedan, first responders said over the radio.
