Berkeley rent board director, deemed ‘severely’ underpaid, receives 24% raise
The Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board said it wanted to bring DeSeana Williams’ salary in line with other department heads.
In brief
Rent Stabilization Board
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Report: As Berkeley densifies, tenant protections needed to avoid displacement
The report argues sweeping zoning changes could worsen gentrification, but others say existing conditions are no better at protecting minorities.
Election 2020
The pro-tenant, ‘Right To Housing’ slate sweeps Berkeley rent board election
The slate definitely took four seats and is poised to win the fifth.
Independent expenditure campaigns spend big to influence rent board, District 2 city council race
By law, independent expenditure campaigns must act independently of the candidates they are backing. They can’t communicate or even coordinate with those running for office.
Election complaints filed against Arreguín and Hsiung mayoral campaigns
Critical information about who is paying for campaign materials is missing, the complaints state.
Real estate interests spend heavily to support property-friendly rent board candidates
There is a full slate of five property owner-oriented candidates running for the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board — and real estate interests are backing them big time.
Election 2020: Rent board candidates answer Berkeleyside questions
Meet the 12 Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
Election 2020: Who is Andy Kelley?
Meet Andy Kelley, one of 12 Rent Stabilization Board candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
Election 2020: Who is Leah Simon-Weisberg?
Meet Leah Simon-Weisberg, one of 12 Rent Stabilization Board candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
Election 2020: Who is Bianca Zahrai?
Bianca Zahrai, one of 12 Rent Stabilization Board candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election, answers questions from Berkeleyside.
Election 2020: Who is Dan McDunn?
Meet Dan McDunn, one of 12 Rent Stabilization Board candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
Election 2020: Who is Dominique Walker?
Meet Dominique Walker, one of 12 Rent Stabilization Board candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
Election 2020: Who is Soulmaz Panahi?
Meet Soulmaz Panahi, one of 12 Rent Stabilization Board candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
Election 2020: Who is Bahman Ahmadi?
Meet Bahman Ahmadi, one of 12 Rent Stabilization Board candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
Election 2020
Election 2020: Who is Wendy Saenz Hood Neufeld?
Meet Wendy Saenz Hood Neufeld, one of 12 Rent Stabilization Board candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
Election 2020: Who is Carole Marasovic?
Meet Carole Marasovic, one of 12 Rent Stabilization Board candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
Election 2020: Who is Mari Mendonca?
Meet Mari Mendonca, one of 13 Rent Stabilization Board candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
Election 2020: Who is Pawel Moldenhawer?
Meet Pawel Moldenhawer, one of 12 Rent Stabilization Board candidates in Berkeley’s November 2020 election.
Related stories
Berkeley rent board appoints DéSeana Williams as new executive director
Williams will make a starting salary of $200,366 on an initial three-year contract.
‘No real options’: Last tenants agree to leave rent-controlled building, clearing way for UC Berkeley dorm
Cal can now tear down 1921 Walnut St. and the $300 million Anchor House project can proceed.
UC Berkeley is getting a big gift: A $300M, 772-bed student dorm
The Helen Diller Family Foundation is paying for the complex, but building it may require evicting people from a rent-controlled building.
Rent board votes in support of Palestinians facing evictions in Israel
It was a welcomed political statement by some but reviled by others who think the board overstepped its boundaries.
Berkeley votes for historic housing change: an end to single-family zoning
The unanimous vote kickstarts a 2-year-long process which would see about 9,000 more housing units at various income levels built over the next several years.
In brief
Berkeley has free workshops to help landlords, tenants navigate rent
The Berkeley Rent Stablization Board’s seminars offer help to landlords and tenants with security deposits, registering rental properties, the newly-approved Measure MM and more.
Rent board pays $210K to former employee to settle retaliation charges
Public documents strongly suggest that Jay Kelekian, the former executive director, is the person who is alleged to have retaliated against the former employee.
