California Supreme Court Approves UC Berkeley's Student and Homeless Housing at People's Park

Jun 6, 2024, 09:43 PM

The California Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the University of California in the People's Park decision, allowing the development of student and homeless housing at the site. This decision, supported by a bill from Assemblymember Buffy Wicks last year, is seen as a significant step towards addressing the housing crisis in California. Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis praised the ruling, emphasizing its importance for much-needed student housing at UC Berkeley. However, the decision has faced criticism for converting valuable outdoor space into housing and for not requiring an assessment of potential noise impacts from future residents. Critics have also pointed out Kounalakis's ties to her father's billion-dollar apartment development empire.