Backers say it will raise up to $6 million a year and disincentivize property owners from leaving units empty. Opponents say the tax applies too broadly and won’t significantly increase housing affordability.
Supriya Yelimeli
Supriya Yelimeli is a housing and homelessness reporter for Berkeleyside and joined the staff in May 2020 after contributing reporting since 2018 as a freelance writer. Yelimeli grew up in Fremont and has written for outlets across the Bay Area and Southern California, including as a breaking news reporter for Bay City News, and a contributor at Mission Local, NBC Los Angeles and the Pacific Coast Business Times. Yelimeli earned her undergraduate degree at UC Santa Barbara where she was Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Nexus. She's always reachable by Twitter and email for tips, criticism and all other feedback.
Posted inCrime & Safety
Bicyclist injured in hit-and-run on Shattuck Avenue
The woman was taken to the hospital with moderate injuries.
Posted inCity
In Berkeley rent board race, evictions, housing stock are up for debate
Candidates are strongly in favor of anti-displacement measures, but vary on just-cause evictions for small units.
Posted inCity
‘Woman, life, freedom’: Berkeley Iranian diaspora joins protests against Iran government
The protests were set off by the death of a young woman who was arrested by Iran’s “morality police.”
Posted inCrime & Safety
Berkeley woman charged in Central Berkeley attempted kidnappings
Police said a woman driving a white sedan was involved in both cases.
Posted inCrime & Safety
‘This is a wakeup call’: Berkeley remembers brothers Jazy and Angel Sotelo Garcia
The teens’ mother and younger siblings, dozens of extended family and hundreds of neighbors, classmates and friends came together Monday evening for a vigil at Longfellow Middle School.
Posted inCrime & Safety
Police seek 3 suspects in shooting that killed Berkeley brothers
The shooting happened at a 17-year-old’s birthday party in North Oakland in a home a parent had rented on Airbnb.
Posted inCrime & Safety
2 Berkeley brothers killed in Oakland house party shooting
Angel, 15, and his brother, Jazy, 17, were both students at Berkeley High. Two others at the party were taken to the hospital but are in stable condition.
Posted inCity
Measure L: From streets to housing, $650M bond takes aim at Berkeley’s biggest challenges
Backers say the city’s largest-ever bond measure will deliver the smoother streets voters have long wanted. Opponents say it’s a blank check.
Posted inCity
Residents return to North Berkeley apartments after local land trust buys back building
The 13-unit Solano Avenue building was subject to an Ellis Act eviction nearly three years ago.
Posted inCity
Share your thoughts on plans for Ashby BART plaza this Monday
The plaza, which will host the historic Ashby Flea Market, will be discussed at a virtual meeting on Oct. 3.
Posted inCity
Woman, child hit by driver in North Berkeley crosswalk
Neither the woman nor her son suffered major injuries and the driver stayed at the scene afterward, police said.