Background
One of the main issues alarming residents of District 7 in Berkeley is the shortage of student housing. Our office is working together with local activists, councilmembers, the UC Berkeley administration, and state legislators to make the necessary changes to alleviate the housing crisis. We are focusing on amending current zoning laws to allow the construction of more housing, strengthening state housing law by having developers build more affordable housing, and supporting SB1227, which will allow students to use financial aid to qualify for affordable housing and will amend the State Density Bonus Law.
More Student Housing Now!
SB 1227
On a state level, we are supporting this bill introduced by State Senator Nancy Skinner that will amend the State Density Bonus Law to encourage student housing for colleges and universities, including UC Berkeley. It also allows students to qualify for affordable student housing with their financial aid.
Zoning Reforms
The Berkeley City Council's More Student Housing Now resolution would legalize the construction of thousands of new beds in Southside, increasing student housing availability, lowering costs, and decreasing displacement in the city. These involves increasing building height limits, creating a Pilot City Density Bonus, expanding the car free zone, allowing residential space along the Telegraph corridor, and funding low-income housing.
Market Rate and Affordable Housing
As UC Berkeley plans on accepting more in-state students, the University needs to accommodate more students with housing. With an increase in demand and constant supply, rent prices are naturally increasing for both students and Berkeley residents. Our plan will create more market and affordable housing for low income and middle class students. These two types of housing go hand in hand since we need market-rate housing to fund affordable housing.
Contact City Council to Support More Student Housing Now!
2180 Milvia St
Berkeley, Alameda County 94704
USA
Phone: 510.981.7170