Oakland housing activists demand City Council action

Skyrocketing housing costs are forcing more and more Oakland residents, including members of her congregation, to leave the city, Kolin said. Among the urgent measures needed to help stem the tide, she said, are zoning requirements for developers to provide units for low-income residents and greater protections for tenants in condo conversions.

A rally before the council meeting called by the Oakland People’s Community Housing Coalition, an alliance of community, labor and faith-based organizations, heard tenants, including seniors and people with disabilities, tell how their living conditions have worsened and their housing costs have risen despite current tenant protections. Speakers challenged the council to act promptly on the issues when it returns to work in September.