Prevent and Reverse Displacement

STABILIZE OUR TRANSIT-RICH NEIGHBORHOOD

South Berkeley has very good transit access and the housing demand pressure on existing rent-controlled housing stock is high. This is causing displacement of low-income and working families from our neighborhood, especially our African American neighbors. One of the most effective ways to safeguard our existing housing stock is to convert it to non-profit ownership. Therefore: 

1) Earmark funding to convert existing rent-controlled housing stock to non-profit owned permanently affordable housing or homeownership.

2) Market and provide incentives to landlords of existing rent-controlled apartments to encourage them to convert to non-profit ownership.

3) Engage and incentivize non-profit housing organizations to participate in the program.

4) Engage the rent stabilization board in promoting and funding the program.

REVERSE DISPLACEMENT

We advocate that current and former Berkeley residents be given preference for affordable housing and a “right to return” be instituted for those that have been displaced due to rising rents, low income, and no-fault or unfair evictions. We also advocate for affirmative actions that would reverse the population decline of those historically discriminated against. When the majority of our unhoused are disproportionately African American, our policies must recognize the systemic racism that has caused this outcome and we must implement strategies to rectify it.

FUND AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Maximize the number of affordable homes that can be built in all areas of the neighborhood with a variety of strategies:

1) Commit a minimum of $50 Million in Measure O funding for non-profit owned low, very low income and supportive homeless housing for the Ashby BART site;

2) Increase the fees going to the Housing Trust Fund from new housing development;

3) Increase the resources going to low-income homeowners to prevent foreclosures.