Community

Peralta Village Tenants, Supporters, Petition Oakland Housing Authority

The direct action on February 13 is the result of organizing that began last fall, when about a dozen Peralta Village residents started meeting with each other and Bay Area-based housing rights activists seeking improved maintenance and better treatment from OHA.

Published

4 years ago

February 1, 2021

Kiki

Cassidy Taylor (left) of the housing justice group The United Front Against Displacement, and Eddie Simmon (right) a Peralta Village resident of 20 years, pose outside of a Peralta Village apartment on January 24. Photo by Zack Haber.

Residents of Peralta Village and organizers and members of the United Front Against Displacement are planning a protest at the Oakland Housing Authority (OHA) headquarters on February 13 because of OHA’s slow responses to requests for repairs, lagging upkeep and threats of eviction despite the current moratorium caused by the pandemic.

The protesters will deliver the petition to OHA offices. The time of day and place of the protest will be announced at a later date.

About 11%, or 85, of Peralta Village residents of the West Oakland public housing project’s population have supported the efforts by signing a petition residents and activists wrote accusing OHA of “unresponsive or slow…follow-through on repairs and regular upkeep,” “threats of eviction” despite eviction moratoriums that are currently in place, “not clearing garbage…on a consistent schedule” or providing recycling bins, and unfair ticketing from OHA Police. The petition asks OHA to improve maintenance and reduce rent until problems are fixed.
“We gotta get together and make it a group effort,” said Eddie Simmon, who has lived in Peralta Village for over 20 years. “One person [addressing OHA] is like a mosquito bite; they flick it away. But if you get a whole hornet’s nest, then you got something to contend with.”

Simmon is one of four Peralta Village residents, all of whom are Black in their late 40s to mid-60s and who helped write the petition, that The Oakland Post interviewed. Fearing retaliation, two of these residents requested anonymity in this article.

Peralta Village consists of 390 units in a mix of one- two- and three-bedroom apartments as well as town homes that serve more than 700 residents. Originally named Cypress Village, it was created just after World War II as segregated all-Black housing in West Oakland at 935 Union St. To this day, its population is almost entirely Black and many still refer to it as Cypress Village.

The Oakland Post also interviewed three activists, all of whom are in their 20s and are part of the grassroots housing justice group the United Front Against Displacement (UFAD). The group has been doing weekly door-knocking in Peralta Village since last summer to connect and organize residents. In recent months, residents have joined in the door-knocking.

Residents meet with each other and UFAD members weekly, sometimes in person and sometimes on Zoom. The meetings are called Cypress Tenants Meetings and have no affiliation with OHA. Residents can learn more about the meetings by contacting the UFAD at wewontgo@riseup.net or 510-815-9978.

“It’s been really encouraging seeing folks get enthusiastic about doing tenant organizing in the projects,” said Cassidy Taylor, a low-income essential worker who lives close to Peralta Village. She moved to Oakland from Boston about a year ago to work with UFAD and sees tenant organizing as important to improving the conditions of all working-class people.

Taylor is among the Peralta Village residents and other UFAD members who will participate in the February 13 protest and deliver the petition to OHA offices.

Their protest will address the ill treatment that many Peralta Village residents say they are experiencing. One resident claimed that it recently took OHA six weeks after she notified them to fix her window that wouldn’t close.

Another resident, JaCynthia Givens, said she’s been “having headaches and weakness” due to breathing black mold in her apartment. Gena Rainey, 38, who spends time in Peralta Village as a caretaker for her mother, said she has contacted OHA more than 10 times in the last year requesting that they fix broken wiring that causes the overhead lighting to fail in her mother’s apartment, but no OHA workers have helped.

“I understand they consider this the ghetto or the ’hood but we deserve to be treated better,” said Rainey.

According to OHA spokesperson Greer McVay, OHA has a property management team that addresses maintenance issues when tenants put in work orders. She said that “because of COVID-19, we’re doing things a bit differently and prioritizing emergencies.”

While OHA used to send workers out in shared vehicles, now only one worker can be in a vehicle at a time, which slows down the process of fulfilling work orders. McVay claims that generally non-emergency work orders get fulfilled within two days, though she acknowledges “there are times where work orders have slipped through the cracks.”

The residents The Oakland Post interviewed all claimed that delays of weeks or months in securing repairs usually occur when they put in work orders. Simmon said he started doing his repairs himself because OHA maintenance workers do not give specific times when they plan to do the repairs.

“They just come whenever they want to come,” said Simmon. “You might not even be available.”

When workers come and tenants are not at home, the workers leave. Simmon wants the workers to arrange times with tenants to fulfill work requests so they do not waste trips and repairs can be fulfilled.

Tenants said that when OHA feels they have broken housing rules, OHA threatens them with eviction. Rainey said these notices scare people and that her mother fell ill soon after OHA sent a letter threatening to evict her due to Rainey parking next to her home and within Peralta Village’s gates without a pass, a technical violation of OHA’s policies that is commonly practiced due to safety concerns with parking on the street.

Another resident, who is in her 60s, said she got a threatening notice after she fought back against a neighbor in her 30s who attacked her. The resident said she experienced repeated harassment from this neighbor, reported it to OHA over two years, but that OHA never worked to remedy the situation. The notice, which The Oakland Post obtained, threatened to evict her if she ever engaged in an altercation with the neighbor again. After obtaining what she calls threats from OHA instead of help, she is scared to meet with them.

According to McVay, OHA is not currently evicting residents.

“We are always going to look for ways to help people if they are in non-compliance [with OHA rules],” she said. “And we have not evicted anyone during COVID-19.”

When a resident is accused of violating an OHA rule, they are sent forms including what McVay describes as “standard legal language” that could “seem harsh” to residents, but she said that OHA also follows up and tries to keep residents housed. Residents The Oakland Post interviewed said they felt threatened rather than helped by OHA.

All residents interviewed said that overflowing trash in the dumpster area is unpleasant to deal with and attracts rodents. A few said the conditions made them scared to throw their trash away. During a visit to several dumpster areas around the apartment complex on January 24, rats could be seen scurrying around waste matter that included unbagged food scraps piled on the ground. Electronics and cardboard boxes could be seen outside of but near the dumpster area. No recycling receptacles were present. While in the past, Simmon said clean-ups from workers happened weekly, now they’re “almost non-existent.”

McVay said much of the trash problem in the area is related to people from outside the neighborhood dumping in OHA receptacles. Peralta Village tenants confirm illegal dumping is common but think that OHA is not addressing the problem. One resident suggested installing cameras to document and discourage dumpers. Residents say people from outside the neighborhood also throw trash around searching for recyclable cans and bottles, and that the presence of recycling receptacles would alleviate this problem.

McVay supports recycling at Peralta Village and said “I believe that all of our locations have recycling bins and if they don’t, then they should or will soon.” But all residents interviewed said no recycling receptacles currently exist in their dumpster areas.

Residents like Givens see a disconnect between how OHA says treats residents and what she and her neighbors experience. She described the way OHA treats her as inhumane.

In a recent meeting with UFAD members, she expressed excitement about protesting OHA offices February 13.

“We don’t have to be afraid,” she said. “We’re just fighting for our rights.”

Kiki

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Activism

City of Oakland Celebrates Reopening of Main Library

“Libraries are such critical facilities for all Oaklanders, whether it’s children coming to story-time, adults reading the newspapers or borrowing the latest novels, and people engaging with a range of services and programs that the library hosts,” said Council President and District 2 Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas. “Such library services and programs are only possible when the facility’s electricity, heating, roof, and lighting are fixed and running efficiently. I’m proud to join this re-opening of our Main Public Library.”

Published

10 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Left to Right- Jamie Turbak, Director of Library Services, LaTonda Simmons, Assistant City Administrator, Nikki Bas, President Oakland City Council, Shen Thao, Mayor of Oakland, Carroll Fife, Oakland City Councilmember District 3, Harold Duffey, Assistant City Administrator, Sean Maher, Projects Coordinator. Photo by Kevin Hicks.

The branch had been closed since May for critical infrastructure upgrades

Special to the Post

The City of Oakland leadership and community partners gathered to celebrate the reopening of the Main Library after completion of critical infrastructure upgrades to enhance the library’s facilities and provide a better experience for patrons.

Renovations include new roof installation, skylight repair, critical electrical system upgrades, new boiler control system installation, auditorium heating and cooling system installation, and improvements to lighting, flooring and ceilings throughout the building.

“This is truly something to celebrate, the reopening of our wonderful Main Library! I congratulate the staff and our partners for this important project to make the Main Library a more comfortable place for everyone for years to come, said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. “Thank you to Oakland voters and the California State Library for making these crucial improvements possible.”

“Public libraries are a wonderful resource for our residents, offering a safe space for learning and being,” said District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife. “It is critical to improve and modernize our libraries so more members of our community can utilize and enjoy them. I’m excited that the necessary renovations to the Main Library have been completed successfully and thank everyone involved, particularly the City team, who helped secured the necessary grant funds for this work.”

“I am proud of the City staff and project partners who kept this important project on schedule and under budget,” said Assistant City Administrator G. Harold Duffey. “The library is an incredibly important resource for our community members, and this project is an investment into the library’s future.”

“December 2nd was a momentous occasion for Oakland Public Library as we proudly reopened the doors of the Main Library following extensive infrastructure repairs,” said Director of Library Services Jamie Turbak. “Closing the Main Library for six months was no easy decision, as it serves as the central hub for our library system and is truly the heart of Oakland. Yet, this renovation was essential, representing more than just physical upgrades—it reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, welcoming space for everyone.”

The City Administrator Jestin Johnson also attended the press conference and signalled his support for the completion of the record-setting completion of the renovations. Gay Plair Cobb, a newly appointed Library Commissioner said the Library represents the soul and brains of our community.

The Oakland Public Library secured funding for these crititcal repairs through a variety of sources. The California State Library’s Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program awarded the Main Branch $4.2 million. To comply with the grant terms, the City of Oakland provided matching funds through Measures KK, as approved by the Oakland City Council in October 2023.

The Main Library will host an Open House to celebrate the reopening on February 22, 2025, 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

About the Oakland Public Library

The Oakland Public Library is a part of the City of Oakland in California and has been in existence since 1878. Locations include 16 neighborhood branches, a Main Library, a Second Start Adult Literacy Program, the Oakland Tool Lending Library, and the African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO). The Oakland Public Library empowers all people to explore, connect, and grow. Oaklandlibrary.org

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Activism

Biden’s Legacy Secured with Record-Setting Black Judicial Appointments

His record surpasses previous efforts by his predecessors. President Jimmy Carter appointed 37 Black judges, including seven Black women. In stark contrast, Donald Trump’s first term resulted in only two Black women appointed out of 234 lifetime judicial nominations. The White House said Biden’s efforts show a broader commitment to racial equity and justice.

Published

10 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

iStockphoto.

By Stacy M. Brown
WI Senior Writer

President Joe Biden’s commitment to diversifying the federal judiciary has culminated in a historic achievement: appointing 40 Black women to lifetime judgeships, the most of any president in U.S. history.

Biden has appointed 62 Black judges, cementing his presidency as one focused on promoting equity and representation on the federal bench.

The White House said Biden’s efforts show a broader commitment to racial equity and justice.

Meanwhile, Trump has vowed to dismantle key civil rights protections, including the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

“Having the Black woman’s experience on the federal bench is extremely important because there is a different kind of voice that can come from the Black female from the bench,” Delores Jones-Brown, professor emeritus at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told reporters.

Lena Zwarensteyn of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights told reporters that these district court judges are often the first and sometimes the final arbiters in cases affecting healthcare access, education equity, fair hiring practices, and voting rights.

“Those decisions are often the very final decisions because very few cases actually get heard by the U.S. Supreme Court,” Zwarensteyn explained.

Biden’s nomination of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court further reflects his commitment to judicial diversity. Jackson became the first Black woman to serve on the nation’s highest court.

Patrick McNeil, spokesperson for the Leadership Conference, pointed out that over half of Biden’s Black female judicial appointees have backgrounds as civil rights attorneys and public defenders, experience advocates consider essential for a balanced judiciary.

Meanwhile, Congress remains divided over the expansion of federal judgeships. Legislation to add 66 new judgeships—approved unanimously by the Senate in August—stalled in the GOP-controlled House until after the election. House Republicans proposed distributing the new judgeships over the next decade, giving three administrations a say in appointments. President Biden, however, signaled he would veto the bill if it reached his desk.

Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., argued the delay was a strategic move to benefit Trump’s potential return to office. “Donald Trump has made clear that he intends to expand the power of the presidency and giving him 25 new judges to appoint gives him one more tool at his disposal,” Nadler said.

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Activism

A Student-Run Group Provides Critical Support Services to Underserved Residents

Those visiting The Suitcase Clinic can get legal advice, sign up for food assistance, receive housing resources, get medical help, or enjoy a hot, fresh meal. They can also get haircuts and foot washes from the student volunteers. Nilo Golchini, executive director of the clinic, said one of the goals for most of the students working there is helping bridge the gap of trust that exists between many unhoused people and the healthcare and social welfare systems.

Published

11 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

UC Berkeley Law Students help a clinic visitor with legal advice at their Tuesday night services. The Clinic offers a variety of resources, including medical, to those in the community who have little access to these services. Photo by Magaly Muñoz

Part One

By Magaly Muñoz

Every Tuesday evening, the dining hall of First Presbyterian Church fills up with dozens of people eating, laughing and moving from table to table, receiving much-needed services from UC Berkeley students – just a few blocks away from the university’s campus.

Individuals seeking support services can be found in this multi-stationed room on the south end of the church talking to law students, student case managers, or receiving medical attention in a corner by healthcare professionals.

This weekly event is hosted by Cal students through a volunteer-run program called The Suitcase Clinic.

The clinic, founded in 1989, was intended to offer free resources to underserved communities in Berkeley and surrounding cities. The majority of the clinic’s clientele are unhoused or low-income people looking for extra support.

Those visiting the clinic can get legal advice, sign up for food assistance, receive housing resources, get medical help, or enjoy a hot, fresh meal. They can also get haircuts and foot washes from the student volunteers.

Nilo Golchini, executive director of the clinic, said one of the goals for most of the students working there is helping bridge the gap of trust that exists between many unhoused people and the healthcare and social welfare systems.

During their tenure in the program, many of the students say they become strong advocates for homelessness rights.

Visitors of the Suitcase Clinic can receive haircuts and foot washing by student volunteers every Tuesday evening. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

“We’re also standing in solidarity with them. So, it’s not saying, ‘I’m going to help you, but I’m also going to stand with you,’” Golchini said.

Student volunteers get extensive training prior to working directly with clients. Those interested have to take a semester-long class to become versed in areas such as outreach, intersectionality, how to interact with unhoused people, how to sign people up for social services. and more.

Volunteers then get to pick from three different clinics: General, Women’s, or Youth and LGBTQ+.

The General Clinic is the most popular among visiting residents, while Women’s and Youth/LQBTQ+ have more specialized services for attendees.

The Women’s Clinic has many of the similar services to General, but also includes nail painting, childcare, and massages.

The Youth and LGBTQ+ Clinic offers a safe space for young people navigating living on the streets, with services that include housing referrals, wellness and recreation classes and employment resources.

Golchini explained that it’s important for them to keep these clinics separate because the different demographics experience poverty and homelessness differently than those who visit the General Clinic.

Suitcase Clinic student workers posing for a photo with a frequent clinic attendee. The Clinic is open to Berkeley unhoused and low-income residents who need medical or legal service, or a hot meal. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

“We’re able to provide spaces where people can come in and feel safe and not feel like they’re constantly worried that something’s going to happen to them,” she said.

An outreach team also visits encampments every other Saturday in the Berkeley area to provide hygiene kits and encourage people to visit the in-person clinic, if possible.

However, Golchini said engagement has been low for some time now due to a recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that allows cities to ban and cite people for sleeping on the streets.

She said a lot of their clientele got displaced to other cities over time, making it difficult to stay in contact with the services the Clinic was providing for them.

But that hasn’t slowed down the students at the Clinic, if anything, it has pushed them to do more for the community they serve.