Residents of a 12-unit Berkeley apartment building, fearing their home would be converted into luxury housing, collaborated with a community partner and city officials to create an affordable housing cooperative.
Residents of a Berkeley apartment building came together and sought assistance from a community partner to transform their property into an affordable housing cooperative. The situation arose when the owner of the 12-unit building passed away, triggering fears among tenants that their home would be sold and converted into a high-end, unaffordable luxury development.
Determined to safeguard their housing and maintain affordability in their South Berkeley neighborhood, the residents rallied and collaborated with a community partner.Their efforts culminated in convincing the city council to provide funding for the cooperative through the city's small sites program. This initiative proved instrumental in securing the necessary resources to purchase and renovate the building, ensuring its continued affordability for the residents. Berkeley City Councilmember Ben Bartlett emphasized the significance of this community-driven project, stating, 'So this is our own little way in Berkeley of preventing price gouging and driving families to the street. Because nobody makes it alone. We're in this together. And right now these families here are protected.'The cost-effectiveness of this approach is noteworthy. Renovating existing units proved to be significantly more economical than constructing new affordable housing in the Bay Area, costing less than half the price. Two vacant units within the building will be made available for public rental at affordable rates: $1,200 for a studio and $1,800 for a one-bedroom apartment
AFFORDABLE HOUSING COOPERATIVE BERKELEY COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP CITY COUNCIL
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
38 Purchases To Help Transform Your Tiny ApartmentNew year, new (organized) you.
Read more »
Large Fire Displaces Residents at San Jose Apartment ComplexA fire at an apartment complex in East San Jose Friday morning displaced ten adults and four children. The fire started around 5:15 a.m. in the 2500 block of Gimelli Way and quickly spread to several units. Four units are uninhabitable due to damage.
Read more »
Christmas Morning Apartment Fire Displaces 11 ResidentsA fire on Christmas morning at Courtyard Apartments on Pleasant Valley Road in Mobile, Alabama, left six apartments uninhabitable and displaced eleven residents from six families. Mobile Fire-Rescue Department firefighters responded to the blaze at approximately 7:19 a.m. and extinguished the fire, assisting residents in evacuating the building, including one resident in a wheelchair. Crews also rescued two cats and one dog from the apartments.
Read more »
Deadly apartment fire on Northwest Side displaces residentsOne woman is dead, and at least four apartment units were damaged after a fire broke out at a complex on the Northwest Side on Thursday morning.
Read more »
2-alarm fire at Provo apartment complex displaces multiple residentsResidents at a Provo apartment complex were evacuated during bitter cold conditions -- some of them displaced -- after a fire that damaged multiple units.
Read more »
Fiery Bronx Apartment Building Blaze Injures Residents and FirefightersA five-alarm fire ripped through an apartment building in the Bronx early Friday, leaving several people, including residents and firefighters, hurt from smoke inhalation. The blaze spread rapidly due to strong winds, forcing residents to evacuate and leaving approximately 180 people displaced. The Red Cross is assisting the affected individuals. While officials stated no serious injuries were reported, the incident highlights the dangers posed by the fire and the challenges faced by firefighters. The cause of the fire is under investigation, with residents alleging a lack of heat in the building prior to the incident and potential use of stoves and ovens for warmth.
Read more »