The university will work with the city and local nonprofits to provide 42 units of housing and supportive services to unhoused people living in Berkeley's iconic People's Park.

Teresa Watanabe reports on a historic agreement between the University of California, Berkeley, the city, and nonprofit partners to provide temporary housing and social services to unhoused people in People's Park. The park has been the focus of controversy as the university struggles to provide housing for a growing student body (more on that legal fight here). As part of the plan to redevelop the park, "About 60% of the 2.8-acre park will remain open green space, and a memorial to its storied history will be erected."
Unlike previous Berkeley mayors who were hesitant to change the iconic park, Arreguín supported the campus’ desire to develop the land. And Christ, despite struggling with a major campus budget deficit, committed funds to hire a social worker for the park and housing and services for unsheltered people, even though addressing homelessness is not generally seen as a university responsibility.
According to Watanabe, "The city and campus have hammered out a deal to lease 42 rooms for 18 months at the Rodeway Inn for those living in the park." Residents will receive a private room, linens and toiletries, meals, healthcare and counseling, and other supportive services. "The city will cover the costs of the lease and nonprofit services for 12 months, using a $4.7-million state grant earmarked to help people living in encampments find safe and stable housing. UC Berkeley has committed $2.2 million to cover the last six months."
The article describes the park's tumultuous history as an iconic site for political protests and free speech actions. Today, opinion remains divided on the future of the park. "When the project was first announced in 2018, some of the unhoused people in the park welcomed it while others objected, saying it would obliterate the space’s rich history and destroy the community bonds forged over communal feedings, gardening and cultural events." City and university officials hope the project will help create a more livable city for all residents. "This partnership will put a roof over the heads of those living in People’s Park, instead of simply pushing them from one neighborhood to another," said Berkeley mayor Jesse Arreguín.
FULL STORY: UC Berkeley to offer housing to homeless in People's Park

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Portland Raises Parking Fees to Pay for Street Maintenance
The city is struggling to bridge a massive budget gap at the Bureau of Transportation, which largely depleted its reserves during the Civd-19 pandemic.

Spokane Mayor Introduces Housing Reforms Package
Mayor Lisa Brown’s proposals include deferring or waiving some development fees to encourage more affordable housing development.

Houston Mayor Kills Another Bike Lane
The mayor rejected a proposed bike lane in the Montrose district in keeping with his pledge to maintain car lanes.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont