Green New City: Affordable Housing

Problems:

• The cost of a home has doubled in the last 10 years, and the cost of the average 1-bedroom apartment has increased by nearly 70%, according to Zillow.
• The high cost of housing has led to the flight of communities of color, especially our Black residents.
• The housing stock, especially in the low income or affordable sector, has not kept pace with the significant increase in the population of Berkeley.
• Building costs in Berkeley remain extraordinarily high, in part due to unnecessary regulation.

Our solution:

• Streamline the City of Berkeley code to remove all unnecessary regulations and permits. For example, Berkeley should aim to move as quickly on approvals for “accessory dwelling units” as San Jose.
• Use every tool of the government to harness the under-utilized spaces of Berkeley — for example the dozens of acres of empty parking lots at Golden Gate Fields, the Berkeley steel plant — to build housing.
• Pass an “ultra-millionaire” wealth tax — similar to Elizabeth Warren’s proposal — to fund the construction of affordable housing.
• Seek win-win solutions. Support common-sense housing and zoning reform that allows for construction of more housing — while taking into account community voices.
• Prohibit developer contributions in City of Berkeley elections to ensure good faith decisions on the part of our elected officials.

Like the majority of Berkeley, we believe housing is a right, not a privilege reserved for the wealthy. Join us in making Berkeley the first Green New City, one with housing for all, by signing to volunteer at www.WayneforMayor.com/volunteer.