Our Values & Accomplishments
Housing is a Human Right
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Homelessness Down 45%
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1000+ Affordable Homes
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Streamlined ADUs
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Strengthened Tenant Protections
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Lowered Rents Across Berkeley
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90% Drop in Ellis Act Evictions
Justice & Fairness for All
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Specialized Care Unit
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$3M Gun Violence Prevention Programs
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Banned Ghost Guns
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Reparations
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Equity in City Contracting
Investing in Our Community
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Safe Streets/ MLK Redesign
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Parking Benefit District
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Small Business Act
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Public EV Infrastructure
Protecting Families
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Berkeley Relief Fund
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Paid Family Leave & Medical Debt Relief
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BHS Mental Health Counseling
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Pro Labor & Prevailing Wage
The Agenda Moving Forward
Affordable Housing Expansion
Building the future of Berkeley through affordable housing infrastructure and promoting stronger protections for tenants. I’ve led efforts to address housing and homelessness through initiatives like Step Up Housing, U1 Predevelopment Funds for Affordable Housing on Ashby, and Missing Middle Housing. I championed the Tenant Protection Ordinance, Eviction Defense, and the Open Doors Initiative for first-time homebuyers. I’ve supported affordable housing through policies like By Right Affordable Housing, Ron Dellums Fair Chance Housing, streamlining ADUs, funding the Tiny House Village, and creating opportunities for senior housing, youth homeless policy, and support for homeless students. I also backed Section 8, Church Affordable Housing, and incentivizing housing at vacant buildings.
In the next term, I will continue expanding these initiatives and ensure more affordable housing opportunities for all residents of Berkeley by fighting for:
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Homeownership for the People​
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Affordable Housing for Families​
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Ashby BART Transit Village​
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Supportive Care Housing
Public Safety & Justice Reform
Increasing public safety through accountability. I am committed to addressing the inequities in our current criminal justice system and keeping all of our community safe.
​​I authored the George Floyd Community Safety Act, which created the Specialized Care Unit. This initiative secured funding for community healthcare workers, allowing the police to focus existing resources on solving violent crimes. I also created BerkDOT to move traffic enforcement away from the police. I secured funding for body cameras and worked on decriminalizing fines and fees. I led a review of police use of force and co-authored the Police Review Commission Charter Amendment to strengthen civilian oversight of the Police Department. Additionally, I have been a strong advocate for racial equity in policing.
In the next term, I will continue to advance reforms that prioritize community safety and equity while ensuring accountability and transparency in law enforcement by working on:
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Making the Specialized Care Unit 24/7 with 3-digit Number
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Partner with Brady Campaign on Gun Violence Prevention
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Launch Berkeley Ceasefire Initiative
Environment
Protecting our environment through next-generation initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and address climate injustice. I am committed to making Berkeley a leader in sustainability and environmental justice.
I authored the Disaster Preparedness Fire Plan to ensure our community is ready for climate-related emergencies. I’ve championed support for electric vehicles (EV) by co-authoring the Electric Vehicle Charging Standard and advocated for the Natural Gas Ban in new buildings to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. I also led efforts to ban toxic paper receipts and single-use plastics, including the plastic straw ban. Additionally, I supported policies for residential wind power and authored the Climate Mitigation Policy to further Berkeley’s climate resilience efforts.
In the next term, I will continue to push for bold environmental reforms, focusing on reducing emissions, expanding green energy, and ensuring climate justice for all communities in Berkeley by establishing:
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Berkeley Green New Deal
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Adeline Greenway Park
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Local Food Resilience
Economic Empowerment & Justice
Creating economic opportunity for the people of Berkeley through racial equity and progressive policies. I am dedicated to ensuring that all residents benefit from economic growth and opportunity.
I have championed Paid Family Leave to support working families and created BenDex, a racial equity initiative in city contracting that ensures inclusive opportunities for minority-owned businesses. I supported the establishment of an Anti-Displacement Public Advocate to protect vulnerable residents and fought to make Berkeley a Cannabis Sanctuary City, ensuring the benefits of legalization reach marginalized communities. I also introduced the Cannabis Racial Equity Policy to promote diversity in the cannabis industry.
I’ve supported innovative financial solutions like the Micro Bond Community Finance program to empower local residents to invest in their neighborhoods and backed the Public Bank initiative to provide equitable access to banking services. I also developed the Progressive Opportunity Zone Framework to encourage investment in underserved areas while ensuring protections for residents.
In my next term, I will continue to advance policies that prioritize racial equity and create economic opportunities for all Berkeley residents, especially those in historically marginalized communities by creating new policies for:
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South Berkeley Community Fund & Arts District
- Activating Empty Storefronts
- Small Business Act for Grants to Local Businesses
Community
Empowering our community through critical investments in healthcare workers, community services, and public spaces. I am committed to ensuring everyone in Berkeley has access to essential services and safe, vibrant public spaces.
I’ve secured Personal Protective Equipment for essential workers and Alta Bates to safeguard frontline staff. I’ve also led efforts to protect seniors from conservatorship and receivership, exemplified by saving Mr. Powell's home. I’ve worked to provide food to seniors and have taken a stand for food justice in Berkeley.
I’ve helped preserve Berkeley’s history by renaming Tarea Hall Pittman and honoring Senior Center namesake Henry Ramsey, and I've protected community spaces like the Flea Market. I’ve advocated for safe streets through Street Spending to Promote Pedestrian Safety, and for more sustainable transportation by securing Bike Lanes on Adeline and supporting the Vision Zero Initiative.
I’ve restored funding for South Berkeley non-profits, supported Green Space Equity, and established the Adeline Corridor Community Benefits District, ensuring long-term investments in the well-being of South Berkeley.
In my next term, I will continue to fight for healthcare access, social services, and vibrant, safe public spaces to empower every member of our community.
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Save Alta Bates
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Community Health Worker Initiative & Elder Care
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Health Impact Bonds