Eviction Defense Center

Berkeley community members celebrated the conversion of a building on Solano Avenue into affordable housing Wednesday after a thwarted attempt to evict the building’s residents under the Ellis Act.

The eight rent-controlled units that once encompassed 1921 Walnut St. are now little more than a barren construction site.

Berkeley City Council met Tuesday to discuss the city’s 2022 fiscal year budget, police reform, housing assistance and funding for the arts. 

The city of Emeryville was served a temporary restraining order April 19, halting its efforts to evict residents of the Ashby/Shellmound encampment.

Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín held a virtual town hall Monday evening to discuss the declining COVID-19 rates in the city and Alameda County, as well as address audience questions about topics such as summer programs and housing assistance.

As a result of COVID-19 concerns, Alameda County will request a waiver to not conduct its biennial, federally mandated count of homeless residents this year.

Numerous jurisdictions have recognized this loophole and banned Ellis Act evictions during the pandemic. Berkeley must join them.

On Monday at 4 p.m., the tenants of 1921 Walnut St. and their supporters protested in front of the UC Office of the President in Oakland against the UC Board of Regents’ purchase of their building.

Berkeley City Council approved a ballot measure that, if passed, will prohibit landlords from evicting tenants for not paying rent during state or local emergencies, including the coronavirus pandemic.

Amid uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, Berkeley City Council passed an amendment to the city's municipal code Tuesday, seeking to provide clarity with its latest urgency ordinance regarding tenants’ ability to end a lease.