Our house in the middle of the street
By Cole Haddock and Maria Toldi on Eighth and Harrison is more than an encampment, it is a community. This is their story.
Berkeley
Berkeley to close Second and Cedar, offers programs
By Alastair Boone on The city will use new state funding to offer transitional housing and RV buyback incentives.
Encampment sweeps are increasing across the state: A ‘know your rights’ guide for unhoused residents
By Ellie Prickett-Morgan on Now more than ever, knowing your rights as an unhoused person is imperative to your safety.
What’s on the ballot this year? A quick and dirty voter guide
By Street Spirit staff on This voter guide focuses on items that would impact housing, homelessness, the justice system, and public space.
Life outside the box
By Andy Pope on "...finding myself sitting down at a bus stop on Shattuck Avenue...I came to a fairly stark realization: 'I have nowhere left to go!'"
Three Bay Area cities change sweep tactics after Newsom’s executive order
By Aaron Stevens on Despite liberal opposition to the Supreme Court ruling, a number of prominent Democrats are changing policy to be more aligned with the verdict.
Clarence Galtney: The OG of Harrison Street
By Bradley Penner on As mounting pressure from the city of Berkeley brings 8th and Harrison to its breaking point, one resident sheds light through the cracks.
Unhoused Community Demands Better Solutions in Light of Eviction Notice
By Cole Haddock and Maria Toldi on The 8th and Harrison community fridge sits behind chain link fence set up by the City of Berkeley. (Maria Toldi)
Where are Berkeley’s mobile showers?
By Timothy Busby on Summertime is here in sunny Northern California, but what does that mean for the homeless living on the streets? It’s not that hard to figure out, it means limited access to showers, sweating all day, wearing stinking clothes and a real need for access to the basic human necessities.
People’s Park celebrates 50 years
By Alastair Boone on “The first time I played here, there was no park here yet,” Stevie Barsotti, the frontman of a band called Dapper Shindig, said to a crowd who had gathered in People’s Park on April 13. “The third time was when we tore down the fence, and that was really fun!”
Youth Spirit Artworks Reporting for Duty, Paint Brush in Hand
In this dark time when many nonprofit agencies are finding survival difficult, Youth Spirit Artworks is reporting for duty. Young artists are ready, willing and able to step up to the plate and roll up our sleeves, paint brushes in hand, in order to keep helping the youth of Berkeley.
Taking Down Telegraph Avenue’s Last Hippie
I have known Bob Meister for 25 years. I have watched him raise a family, and help homeless people regain a sense of their self-worth and restart their lives. I took lessons from Bob that helped me end my own homelessness, raise two children and start a new day in my life.