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Agenda
3. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Matters
Update/Action Items The Commission may take action related to any subject listed on the agenda, except where noted.
Attachments (1801)
- : https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89888304538
- hhcshwcac@berkeleyca.gov.
- o hhcshwcac@berkeleyca.gov.
- ada@berkeleyca.gov,
- : https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88472723045
- hhcshwcac@berkeleyca.gov.
- o hhcshwcac@berkeleyca.gov.
- genda http://www.cityofberkeley.info/citycouncil
- ada@berkeleyca.gov,
- Return to Reports Page
- CommunityAgencyRFP@berkeleyca.gov
- View AMI Table
- Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 3
- Purpose ................................................................................................................................................. 3
- Federal CSBG Programmatic Assurances and Certification ................................................................. 3
- State Assurances and Certification ........................................................................................................ 3
- Compliance with CSBG Organizational Standards ................................................................................ 4
- What’s New for 2026/2027? .................................................................................................................. 4
- Checklist ................................................................................................................................................... 5
- Public Hearing(s) ...................................................................................................................................... 7
- Part I: Community Needs Assessment Summary ..................................................................................... 9
- Narrative .............................................................................................................................................. 11
- Results ................................................................................................................................................ 14
- Part II: Community Action Plan ............................................................................................................... 17
- Vision and Mission Statements ........................................................................................................... 17
- Causes and Conditions of Poverty ...................................................................................................... 18
- Tripartite Board of Directors ................................................................................................................ 20
- Service Delivery System ...................................................................................................................... 21
- Linkages and Funding Coordination .................................................................................................... 23
- Monitoring ............................................................................................................................................ 28
- ROMA Application ............................................................................................................................... 29
- Federal CSBG Programmatic Assurances .......................................................................................... 31
- State Assurances ................................................................................................................................ 34
- Organizational Standards .................................................................................................................... 35
- Part III: Appendices ................................................................................................................................ 36
- ng on State Accountability Measures
- Information Memorandum (IM) #138
- January 26, 2015,
- he Local Agencies Portal.
- Community Action Guide to Comprehensive Community Needs Assessments
- Community Needs Assessment Tool
- Poverty Data
- Economic Data
- Housing Data & Report
- PIT and HIC Data Since 2007
- Housing Needs by State
- IPEDS
- School Data via DataQuest
- Various Data Sets
- UI Data by County
- Demographics
- Open Justice
- Data Portal
- Data by County
- KidsData
- National Public Data
- Racial and Economic Data
- Census Data
- SNAP Benefit Gap
- California Racial Disparity
- Fair Market Rent by ZIP
- Data
- California Self-Sufficiency
- Poverty Statistics
- Standard
- County Health Rankings
- Volunteer Time Calculator
- Family Budget Calculator
- Living Wage Calculator
- California Government Code § 12747(
- California Government Code § 12760:
- California Government Code § 12768:
- Katz, Mary-Claire
- Katz, Mary-Claire
- Larrowe, Kathryn
- mfine@hceb.org
- dfrazier@self-sufficiency.org
- aqadri@self-sufficiency.org;
- dngiraingas@self-sufficiency.org;
- jharrison@thevillageoflove.com
- ; jerri@thevillageoflvoe.com
- ; taneshah@thevillageoflove.com
- andrew@berkeleyfoodnetwork.org
- dgomez@habitatebsv.org;
- JGray@HabitatEBSV.org;
- betti@riseyouth.org
- emartin@thecil.org
- vpineda@thecil.org;
- jbenson@thecil.org
- ; azaldivar@thecil.org
- jonathan@echofairhousing.org
- ; christina@echofairhousing.org
- ; r.atkins@dorothydayhouse.org
- r.montoya@dorothydayhouse.org
- r.atkins@dorothydayhouse.org;
- jgaona@dorothydayhouse.org
- leslie@womensdropin.org;
- dr.veronica.ephesiancc@gmail.com
- dr.veronica.ephesianscc@gmail.com
- JW@RTEBN.org;
- rich@easydoesitservices.org
- ; ayanna@easydoesitservices.org
- ; bruce@easydoesitservices.org
- dorth@ebclc.org
- ; sfujimoto@ebclc.org
- ; jkim@ebclc.org
- ; zpolk@ebclc.org
- ; bgoldstein@lifelongmedical.org;
- tshepard@lifelongmedical.org
- ceo@lifelongmedical.org
- ; bgoldstein@lifelongmedical.org
- asimson@lifelongmedical.org
- nnappi@lifelongmedical.org
- ; gardenia.campos@berkeley.edu
- sandrab@berkeley.edu
- ; carriedonovan@berkeley.edu
- kkokotilo@larkinstreetyouth.org
- cthomas@larkinstreetyouth.org
- ; sadams@larkinstreetyouth.org;
- ericmagana510@gmail.com
- tamiko23@sbcglobal.net
- info@bayareaclt.org
- tracy@bayareaclt.org
- jessieluxford@berkeley.net;
- nkelley-
- farias@bacr.org
- jmok@bacr.org
- jdarby@self-sufficiency.org
- akiani@self-sufficiency.org;
- seaddy@self-
- sufficiency.org
- jdarby@self-sufficiency.org
- jmarley@homelessactioncenter.org;
- mgilg@homelessactioncenter.org;
- adavis@homelessactioncenter.org
- opattiewall@yahoo.com
- nstovall@ymcaeastbay.org
- fgallati@ymcaeastbay.org
- jeffreys@risingsunopp.org
- hatton@risingsunopp.org;
- mirna@mionline.org
- ; wilhelmenia@healthyblackfam.org
- ; lasara@pacificcenter.org
- ; shanna@pacificcenter.org
- alula@bonitahouse.org;
- Laura@bonitahouse.org
- ; lauraw@bonitahouse.org
- ; jonathan@stileshall.org
- jay@borp.org
- emily@borp.org
- ; rick@borp.org
- abowers@acnetmhc.org;
- kkillian@acnetmhc.org
- kkillian@peerwellnesscollective.org;
- mtampoya@peerwellnesscollective.org;
- eve@niahouse.org
- kfeck@toolworks.org;
- klin@insighthousing.org;
- aupshaw@insighthousing.org;
- cegan@insghthousing.org;
- klin@insighthousing.org;
- aupshaw@insighthousing.org
- ; cegan@insighthousing.org
- aupshaw@insighthousing.org;
- klin@insighthousing.org
- ; usha@breadproject.org
- ; escott@fvlc.org
- ; diane@j-
- sei.org
- Beatriz@bahiainc.com;
- JLopez@bahiainc.com
- ; kym@bananasbunch.org
- ni@bananasbunch.org;
- bjenkins-league@bayareacs.org;
- jbaker@bayareacs.org;
- nschwab@optionsrecovery.org
- jphillips@optionsrecovery.org;
- jhugenberger@biotechopartners.org
- lgayden@biotechpartners.org
- middeen@icsworks.com;
- ppamintuan@lookingglass.org
- ; mkirshbaum@lookingglass.org;
- tlockett@byaonline.org
- sloving@byaonline.org
- cruiz@byaonline.org;
- lhairston@byaonline.org;
- danthony@bayareacs.org
- gtia@bayareacs.org
- ; dolson@bayareacs.org
- ; corinnehaskins@yahoo.com;
- cbookhart@rcdhousing.org;
- dsawislak@rcdhousing.org
- ; crystal@supplybank.org
- ; benito@ktocollege.org
- sfriedland@sahahomes.org
- cegan@insighthousing.org;
- sburmaster@insighthousing.org
- ; klin@insighthousing.org;
- cegan@bfhp.org`;
- supreet@streetsteam.org
- jim@streetsteam.org;
- duffyross@berkeley.net
- ; blackcollabheration@gmail.com
- duffyross@berkeley.net
- sherry@berkeleyscholars.org
- seena@thebbbp.org
- ; khanh@cep.ngo
- gchau@berkeley.edu;
- collegeboundprograms@gmail.com;
- drwillis63@gmail.com
- ; benjamingoff@berkeley.net
- Alex@ecologycenter.org;
- martin@ecologycenter.org
- brsaunders@getontrack.org;
- mcrucker@getontrack.org;
- lisa@eastbaysanctuary.org
- bree@eastbaysanctuary.org
- sistermaureen@eastbaysanctuary.org;
- owen@eastbaysanctuary.org
- via Zoom on
- click here
- your public comment to Mary-Claire Katz at mkatz@berkeleyca.gov
- Boards & Commissions
- webpage
- mkatz@berkeleyca.gov
- please check the City of Berkeley Homepage at https://berkeleyca.gov/
- Katz, Mary-Claire
- Katz, Mary-Claire
- Larrowe, Kathryn
- Amiri, Wahid
- Bondi, James;
- Bronson, Darlene;
- Bryant, Ginsi
- Burns, Anne M
- ; Cash, Anna
- Chin, Khin
- ; Cole,
- Shamika S.;
- Covello, Zoe
- ; Crane, Fatema
- ; Ernst, Margot
- ; Garcia, Claudia;
- Gregory, Thomas
- Harvey, Samuel;
- Heath, Julia
- Hersch, Anne
- Jacobs, Joshua;
- Knox, Kellie
- Kouyoumdjian, Aram
- Lovvorn, Jennifer
- May, Keith;
- Mayer, Tess
- ; McCoy, Vincent
- ; Miller, Roger
- Moore, Sarah M.
- ; Murillo, Jose
- ; Rose, Emily
- Shen, Alisa
- Slaughter,
- Kieron;
- Terrones, Roberto
- Updegrave, Samantha
- ; Vance-Dozier, Okeya
- Works-Wright, Jamie
- via Zoom on
- click here
- your public comment to Mary-Claire Katz at mkatz@berkeleyca.gov
- Boards & Commissions
- webpage
- mkatz@berkeleyca.gov
- please check the City of Berkeley Homepage at https://berkeleyca.gov/
- Katz, Mary-Claire
- Katz, Mary-Claire
- Larrowe, Kathryn
- mfine@hceb.org
- dfrazier@self-sufficiency.org
- aqadri@self-sufficiency.org;
- dngiraingas@self-sufficiency.org;
- jharrison@thevillageoflove.com
- ; jerri@thevillageoflvoe.com
- ; taneshah@thevillageoflove.com
- andrew@berkeleyfoodnetwork.org
- dgomez@habitatebsv.org;
- JGray@HabitatEBSV.org;
- betti@riseyouth.org
- emartin@thecil.org
- vpineda@thecil.org;
- jbenson@thecil.org
- ; azaldivar@thecil.org
- jonathan@echofairhousing.org
- ; christina@echofairhousing.org
- ; r.atkins@dorothydayhouse.org
- r.montoya@dorothydayhouse.org
- r.atkins@dorothydayhouse.org;
- jgaona@dorothydayhouse.org
- leslie@womensdropin.org;
- dr.veronica.ephesiancc@gmail.com
- dr.veronica.ephesianscc@gmail.com
- JW@RTEBN.org;
- rich@easydoesitservices.org
- ; ayanna@easydoesitservices.org
- ; bruce@easydoesitservices.org
- dorth@ebclc.org
- ; sfujimoto@ebclc.org
- ; jkim@ebclc.org
- ; zpolk@ebclc.org
- ; bgoldstein@lifelongmedical.org;
- tshepard@lifelongmedical.org
- ceo@lifelongmedical.org
- ; bgoldstein@lifelongmedical.org
- asimson@lifelongmedical.org
- nnappi@lifelongmedical.org
- ; gardenia.campos@berkeley.edu
- sandrab@berkeley.edu
- ; carriedonovan@berkeley.edu
- kkokotilo@larkinstreetyouth.org
- cthomas@larkinstreetyouth.org
- ; sadams@larkinstreetyouth.org;
- ericmagana510@gmail.com
- tamiko23@sbcglobal.net
- info@bayareaclt.org
- tracy@bayareaclt.org
- jessieluxford@berkeley.net;
- nkelley-
- farias@bacr.org
- jmok@bacr.org
- jdarby@self-sufficiency.org
- akiani@self-sufficiency.org;
- seaddy@self-
- sufficiency.org
- jdarby@self-sufficiency.org
- jmarley@homelessactioncenter.org;
- mgilg@homelessactioncenter.org;
- adavis@homelessactioncenter.org
- opattiewall@yahoo.com
- nstovall@ymcaeastbay.org
- fgallati@ymcaeastbay.org
- jeffreys@risingsunopp.org
- hatton@risingsunopp.org;
- mirna@mionline.org
- ; wilhelmenia@healthyblackfam.org
- ; lasara@pacificcenter.org
- ; shanna@pacificcenter.org
- alula@bonitahouse.org;
- Laura@bonitahouse.org
- ; lauraw@bonitahouse.org
- ; jonathan@stileshall.org
- jay@borp.org
- emily@borp.org
- ; rick@borp.org
- abowers@acnetmhc.org;
- kkillian@acnetmhc.org
- kkillian@peerwellnesscollective.org;
- mtampoya@peerwellnesscollective.org;
- eve@niahouse.org
- kfeck@toolworks.org;
- klin@insighthousing.org;
- aupshaw@insighthousing.org;
- cegan@insghthousing.org;
- klin@insighthousing.org;
- aupshaw@insighthousing.org
- ; cegan@insighthousing.org
- aupshaw@insighthousing.org;
- klin@insighthousing.org
- ; usha@breadproject.org
- ; escott@fvlc.org
- ; diane@j-
- sei.org
- Beatriz@bahiainc.com;
- JLopez@bahiainc.com
- ; kym@bananasbunch.org
- ni@bananasbunch.org;
- bjenkins-league@bayareacs.org;
- jbaker@bayareacs.org;
- nschwab@optionsrecovery.org
- jphillips@optionsrecovery.org;
- jhugenberger@biotechopartners.org
- lgayden@biotechpartners.org
- middeen@icsworks.com;
- ppamintuan@lookingglass.org
- ; mkirshbaum@lookingglass.org;
- tlockett@byaonline.org
- sloving@byaonline.org
- cruiz@byaonline.org;
- lhairston@byaonline.org;
- danthony@bayareacs.org
- gtia@bayareacs.org
- ; dolson@bayareacs.org
- ; corinnehaskins@yahoo.com;
- cbookhart@rcdhousing.org;
- dsawislak@rcdhousing.org
- ; crystal@supplybank.org
- ; benito@ktocollege.org
- sfriedland@sahahomes.org
- cegan@insighthousing.org;
- sburmaster@insighthousing.org
- ; klin@insighthousing.org;
- cegan@bfhp.org`;
- supreet@streetsteam.org
- jim@streetsteam.org;
- duffyross@berkeley.net
- ; blackcollabheration@gmail.com
- duffyross@berkeley.net
- sherry@berkeleyscholars.org
- seena@thebbbp.org
- ; khanh@cep.ngo
- gchau@berkeley.edu;
- collegeboundprograms@gmail.com;
- drwillis63@gmail.com
- ; benjamingoff@berkeley.net
- Alex@ecologycenter.org;
- martin@ecologycenter.org
- brsaunders@getontrack.org;
- mcrucker@getontrack.org;
- lisa@eastbaysanctuary.org
- bree@eastbaysanctuary.org
- sistermaureen@eastbaysanctuary.org;
- owen@eastbaysanctuary.org
- via Zoom
- Community Action Plan, please click here
- 6, 2025. Please send your public comment to Mary-Claire Katz at mkatz@berkeleyca.gov
- Draft 2026/27 Community Action Plan
- Draft 2026/27 Community Needs Assessment (direct link)
- low-income representative, please visit the Boards & Commissions webpage
- mkatz@berkeleyca.gov
- https://berkeleyca.gov/
- http://www.cityofberkeley.info/citycouncil
- m
- katz@berkeleyca.gov
- 1
- 2.
- 3.
- 4
- 5.
- 6.
- 7
- 8
- 9,
- e mile.1
- es.2
- tes.3
- 4
- t Preferential Housing Policy5
- Reparations Task Force6
- look
- alth.7
- .8
- tions.9
- Climate Action Plan10
- d.11
- ession.12 F
- 13 T
- xpenses.14
- 15 in the
- 17
- ).16 I
- reimagine public safety
- 18 that includes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- full CHA f
- AG_04_22_2026_DRAFT.pdf
- AG_03_18_2026_DRAFT Minutes.pdf
- Berkeley_single-audit-report-fy2025.pdf
- Blank Page
- Blank Page
- 03_FVLC_SOE_2025_Q4.pdf
- 04_FVLC_PR_Domest Violence and Homeless Prevention_FY25_Q4.pdf
- 2026 Meeting Dates_updated.pdf
- CSD Approved_Final Draft_2026-2027_BCAA_CNA CAP Template.pdf
- Final Draft_2026-2027 CNA CAP Template.pdf
- Introduction
- Purpose
- Federal CSBG Programmatic Assurances and Certification
- State Assurances and Certification
- Compliance with CSBG Organizational Standards
- What’s New for 2026/2027?
- Checklist
- Public Hearing(s)
- Part I: Community Needs Assessment Summary
- Narrative
- Results
- Part II: Community Action Plan
- Vision and Mission Statements
- Causes and Conditions of Poverty
- Tripartite Board of Directors
- Service Delivery System
- Linkages and Funding Coordination
- Monitoring
- ROMA Application
- Federal CSBG Programmatic Assurances
- State Assurances
- Organizational Standards
- Part III: Appendices
- Noticing_Outreach_Combined.pdf
- Proof of Publication_Public Hearing Notice_Berkeley Voice.pdf
- Public Hearing_HWCAC Webpage.pdf
- City of Berkeley Public Hearing Public Notice - June 4, 6_30 p.m., City Hall.pdf
- FW_ City of Berkeley Public Hearing Public Notice - June 4, 6_30 p.m., City Hall.pdf
- Reminder_ City of Berkeley Public Hearing Public Notice - June 4, 6_30 p.m., City Hall.pdf
- CSBG Public Hearing_Public Comment Documentation_060425.pdf
- Final Draft_2026_2027_Community Needs Assessment.pdf
- Data Collection Method
- City of Berkeley Demographics
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, ACS, 2023
- Key Findings
- Health Inequities in Berkeley
- Recommendations
- BWB-CHA Accessible.pdf
- Structure Bookmarks
- Document
- Article
- Figure
- BERKELEY WELLNESS BLUEPRINT
- BERKELEY WELLNESS BLUEPRINT
- BERKELEY WELLNESS BLUEPRINT
- COMMUNITY
- COMMUNITY
- COMMUNITY
- HEALTH
- HEALTH
- HEALTH
- ASSESSMENT
- ASSESSMENT
- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
- This Community Health Assessment is the result of robust input and partnership from all of the individuals below:
- This Community Health Assessment is the result of robust input and partnership from all of the individuals below:
- This Community Health Assessment is the result of robust input and partnership from all of the individuals below:
- Berkeley Health, Housing, and Community Services Department
- Berkeley Health, Housing, and Community Services Department
- Tanya Bustamante, Interim Deputy Director
- Janice Chin, Manager, Public Health Division
- Kellie Knox, Future of Public Health Coordinator
- Catherine Roseman, Public Health Promotion & Prevention Officer, Community Services Specialist III
- Patricia Zialcita, Supervising Epidemiologist
- Community Steering Committee
- Rosio Almaguer Andrade
- Penelope Collins
- Michai Freeman
- JW Frye
- Kaitlyn (Kati) Khov
- Isabella Ledezema
- Matt Matusiewicz
- Israel Nikodimos
- Claritza Rios
- Michael Rodriguez
- JSI Research & Training Institute
- Jeremy Cantor
- Emma Gier
- Deanna Lewis
- Corina Pinto
- Alison Salomon
- Anupam Sharma
- Hannah Young
- Figure
- Figure
- TABLE OF CONTENTS
- TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Introduction 1
- Introduction 1
- Introduction 1
- Key Findings 5
- Key Findings 5
- Finding 1:
- Finding 1:
- There is a lot to be proud of when it comes to wellness in Berkeley
- 6
- Finding 2:
- Finding 2:
- Diversity is highly valued and racism is deeply rooted
- 9
- Finding 3:
- Finding 3:
- Health is connected to where people live
- 13
- Finding 4:
- Finding 4:
- More transparency and collaboration are needed
- to increase
- trust and effectiveness of health improvement efforts
- Finding 5:
- Finding 5:
- Berkeley is becoming a more difficult place for people to afford to live well
- 19
- Finding 6:
- Finding 6:
- Connection and safety are essential for supporting mental and physical wellbeing
- 22
- Conclusion 26
- Conclusion 26
- Appendices 28
- Appendices 28
- 16
- 16
- 16
- Figure
- Figure
- Story
- Introduction
- Introduction
- Introduction
- Story
- body_span_first_paragraph_serif
- In 2023, the City of Berkeley Health, Housing and Community Services (HHCS) Department engaged JSI Research and Training Institute (JSI) to lead a Community Health Assessment (CHA) and create a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). Together, the CHA and CHIP processes are called the Berkeley Wellness Blueprint (BWB). This CHA document is the culmination of an extensive research process, guided by the community steering committee (CSC). The CSC is a diverse group of individuals who live and/or work in Be
- BERKELEY AT A GLANCE
- BERKELEY AT A GLANCE
- Berkeley is a vibrant city in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area, known for its progressive politics, social and academic innovation,culture and history. Home to over 121,000 people, Berkeley’s diverse population reflects a multitude of racial and ethnic groups, with nearly half (48%) identifying as non-white. The city is also home to a significant immigrant community: more than one out of every five residents (22%) was born outside of the United States and over 6% of the population has limited English
- 21.5%
- 21.5%
- 21.5%
- Immigrant Population
- Immigrant Population
- 121,385
- 121,385
- 121,385
- Total Population
- Total Population
- Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2018-2022
- Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2018-2022
- Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2018-2022
- Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2018-2022
- Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2018-2022
- Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2018-2022
- 6.4%
- 6.4%
- 6.4%
- of People ages 5+
- of People ages 5+
- Limited English Proficiency
- Limited English Proficiency
- 51.8%
- 51.8%
- 51.8%
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2
- Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2
- Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2
- 018-2022
- Note: Limited English Proficiency is definied as
- Note: Limited English Proficiency is definied as
- speaking English less than “very well.”
- Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2018-2022
- Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2018-2022
- Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2018-2022
- P
- P
- P
- ercent of the Population by Race/Ethnicity
- 0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%55%
- Story
- FRAMEWORK
- There are a range of factors that shape health,
- There are a range of factors that shape health,
- safety, and equity in a city like Berkeley. In the
- Berkeley Wellness Blueprint, we are thinking about
- three groups of factors:
- INDIVIDUAL
- INDIVIDUAL
- :
- What does each person
- need to be healthy and flourishing?
- Examples
- : access to affordable
- culturally appropriate services, ability
- to afford basic needs, opportunities for
- connection and belonging.
- COMMUNITY:
- COMMUNITY:
- What are the
- characteristics of communities that
- support individual health?
- Examples:
- safe and appealing parks,
- enough affordable housing, clean air and
- water.
- SYSTEMS
- SYSTEMS
- :
- How do systems and policies
- support the health of communities and
- individuals?
- Examples:
- How are harmful
- products and substances controlled?
- How are historic racist housing policies
- being addressed? How are resources
- distributed throughout the city?
- These domains are useful both to understand
- These domains are useful both to understand
- what is currently happening and to organize
- action. For example, if we were trying to increase
- physical activity in Berkeley, we might focus on
- getting information about exercise classes into
- doctor’s offices (individual), cleaning up parks in
- areas of the city with low physical activity rates
- (community) or providing additional funding to
- afterschool sports programs (systems). In many
- cases, effective solutions are going to involve
- strategies in more than one domain.
- PURPOSE AND PROCESS
- PURPOSE AND PROCESS
- This assessment is one part of a health and wellness improvement process that is intended to be repeated over time (see Figure 1). We decided to use the metaphor of a blueprint because there are parallels to building a physical structure. First, information is gathered and a vision is developed (Assessment); then, specific and workable plans are drawn (Improvement Planning); and finally, work begins (Action). Similar to a building process, new information and challenges will emerge along the way that requir
- GOALS OF THE
- GOALS OF THE
- COMMUNITY HEALTH
- ASSESSMENT (CHA)
- The goals of this CHA phase are to:
- •
- •
- •
- •
- Engage community members in deepening shared understanding of the health andwellness status of Berkeley residents;
- •
- •
- •
- Gather existing data on health, resiliency, and equity in Berkeley’s communities; and
- •
- •
- •
- Have enough information at the end of this phase to make an informed decision on priorities for the CHIP.
- Figure
- Figure
- Figure
- FIGURE 1:
- FIGURE 1:
- FIGURE 1:
- Health and Wellness
- Improvement Process
- Assessment
- Assessment
- Assessment
- Assessment
- Improvement
- Improvement
- Improvement
- Planning
- Action
- Action
- Action
- TABLE 1: HEALTH TOPICS
- TABLE 1: HEALTH TOPICS
- Community Safety
- Community Safety
- : how often people get hurt or
- experience violence and whether everyone feels
- safe in all areas of Berkeley
- Disparities in Health:
- Disparities in Health:
- some people have better
- or worse health based on their race, ethnicity,
- and/or where they live in Berkeley
- Drugs and Alcohol Use:
- Drugs and Alcohol Use:
- use, misuse, and
- availability of legal and illegal drugs and alcohol,
- and if people can get the help they need
- Environmental Health:
- Environmental Health:
- being safe from things
- like pollution and wildfires, having clean air, water,
- and land, having access to parks and green spaces,
- and dealing with the effects of climate change
- Government Responsiveness:
- Government Responsiveness:
- City follow
- through and communication on health projects,
- and how much Berkeley residents help make
- decisions
- Housing:
- Housing:
- being able to live in a place that is safe,
- affordable, and stable
- Jobs and Money:
- Jobs and Money:
- having a steady job that pays
- enough for food, childcare, healthcare, school, and
- savings
- Mental Health
- Mental Health
- : how common mental health
- problems are (like depression, anxiety, and stress),
- and if people can get the care they need
- Physical Health:
- Physical Health:
- how often people get sick, hurt,
- or have long-term health problems, and if they can
- get the care they need
- Sense of Belonging:
- Sense of Belonging:
- feeling included, respected,
- and connected
- CHA PROCESS
- CHA PROCESS
- This report comes at the end of a data collection and analysis process that began in fall of 2023. JSI and the CSC, with substantive input from the Berkeley HHCS team, have:
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- •
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- Reviewed existing reports related tohealth and wellbeing in Berkeley, suchas the Alameda County Department ofPublic Health health assessment;
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- Searched databases of healthinformation including the census andnational health interview survey as wellas locally collected data;
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- Conducted over 15 interviews with localleaders and community members;
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- Held 4 community focus groups; and
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- Fielded a community wellness surveycompleted by over 320 communitymembers from across Berkeley.
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- PRIORITY POPULATIONS, HEALTH TOPICS, & THE COMMUNITY SURVEY
- Following an initial data review and first round of key informant interviews (n=16), several priority populations were identified by JSI and the CSC.
- Individuals from these priority populations were engaged via focus group discussions (n=4), additional interviews (n=6) and were target audiences for the community wellness survey (n=320). The reports, data review, interviews, and focus groups were analyzed by JSI and the CSC.
- From that analysis, ten topics were identified (see right sidebar) that shaped the community-wide health survey. The survey aimed to gather a diverse range of perspectives on these topics. More details on the CHA methods, including the survey development and response, are available in the appendices.
- Priority Populations
- Priority Populations
- An extra emphasis was placed on including
- An extra emphasis was placed on including
- information and perspectives from these
- populations.
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- •
- •
- •
- Black/African American people
- Black/African American people
- •
- •
- •
- Latine/Latinx/Hispanic people
- Latine/Latinx/Hispanic people
- •
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- •
- LGBTQIA+ people
- LGBTQIA+ people
- •
- •
- •
- Residents of South and West Berkeley
- Residents of South and West Berkeley
- •
- •
- •
- Youth
- Youth
- Figure
- Story
- Key Findings
- Key Findings
- Key Findings
- FIGURE 2:
- FIGURE 2:
- FIGURE 2:
- CHA Process
- Reports & statisticsInterviews & focus groupsCommunity surveyCSCCSC10 Health, Safety, and Equity topicsPriority Populations6 Key Findings
- Story
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- KEY FINDINGSAt the conclusion of the community survey, JSI and the CSC systematically reviewed all of the data collected via survey, interviews, focus groups, reports and statistics. Based on that review, a set of 6 key findings emerged. Although not all of the input, data and voices could be included in full detail, this report summarizes the information as best as possible to tell a clear story of the current situation and perspectives in Berkeley regarding health and wellness.Finding 1: There is a lot t
- Figure
- FINDING 1
- FINDING 1
- There is a lot to be proud of when
- There is a lot to be proud of when
- There is a lot to be proud of when
- it comes to wellness in Berkeley
- it comes to wellness in Berkeley
- Berkeley residents consistently highlight three
- Berkeley residents consistently highlight three
- Berkeley residents consistently highlight three
- strengths that contribute to the city’s health and
- wellness: its inviting physical environment, the
- diversity and character of its people, and the
- effectiveness of local community organizations.
- Citywide health statistics are generally positive
- compared with other geographies. For example,
- Berkeley has consistently had a higher life
- expectancy than Alameda County and California
- (see figure 3).
- PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
- In Berkeley, it’s easy to step outside and find a place to walk, roll, or simply breathe. Home to 59 parks, Berkeley boasts almost 6 parks per square mile. The community sees this as more than convenience—these walkable, wheelable routes bring people closer to nature, reduce stress, and create a more connected environment. The numbers support these general sentiments: Berkeley stands out for its high walkability, scoring 15.9 on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Walkability Index - surpassing the count
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- “There’s so many pretty places to go. And it’s right on the water. There’s the Berkeley Marina. I have great memories there with my dog and my kids at different stages in our life” -FOCUS GROUP PARTCIPANT
- Berkeley is filled with places where people naturally come together. Whether it’s a farmers market, the Ed Roberts Campus, a church, or a senior center, these gathering spots foster a strong sense of belonging. They are spaces where people connect, feel seen, and know they belong.
- “Quiero [tratar de] relacionarme con gente, platicar con gente, eso mismo como que te va a ayudar a no hundirte y hay unas tiendas donde puedes encontrar ese ambiente, donde se puede simplemente [conversar].”
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- -FOCUS GROUP PARTICIPANT
- Translation: “I want to [try] to relate with
- Translation: “I want to [try] to relate with
- people, talk to people, that will help to not
- further dig into a hole and there are stores
- where you can find that environment, where
- you can simply [converse].”
- COMMUNITY MEMBERS
- At the heart of Berkeley’s community are the people who live here. Residents describe themselves and their neighbors as resilient, caring, diverse, and passionate, from people looking out for one another to city leaders’ commitment to the city. Berkeley also has a proud tradition of activism. It was the first city to start municipal recycling, make sidewalks wheelchair accessible, and implement a sugar-sweetened beverage tax. Residents engage with issues of justice and equity both historically and today. Th
- “The community is really connected [...] even if [...] we don’t know each other, the people from the Todos Santos de Cuchamatán are united. So if one of our community members is hurting or in danger or their family member had an accident and they need support and anything.”
- -COMMUNITY INTERVIEW PARTICIPANT
- COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
- Community organizations–such as the Multicultural Institute, Center for Independent Living, and Healthy Black Families–bring a feeling of connectedness and support the Berkeley community to feel healthy, well, seen and understood. They are powerful resources, providing essential support, services, and advocacy. In many ways, community residents see these organizations as the backbone of Berkeley’s health and wellness, working to meet the diverse needs of the community and foster a sense of belonging for all
- “I was going to the food pantries. I have 3 kids and it’s all different types of people and the volunteers that work there are so kind they never make you feel less than, are always smiling, and they really love what they do.”
- -FOCUS GROUP PARTICIPANT
- FIGURE 3:
- FIGURE 3:
- FIGURE 3:
- Life Expectancy at Birth
- Age in YearsLife Expectancy at Birth in Berkeley, Alameda County and CaliforniaSource: California Department of Public Health, California Community Burden of Diseaseand Cost Engine *Estimates are for Alameda County excluding BerkeleyAlameda County*BerkeleyCalifornia7476788082848620102011201220132014201520162017201820192020
- Figure
- Figure
- Figure
- FINDING 2
- FINDING 2
- Diversity is highly valued
- Diversity is highly valued
- Diversity is highly valued
- and racism is deeply rooted
- and racism is deeply rooted
- Berkeley has a reputation as a diverse and welcoming city, not afraid to be at the vanguard of social and cultural movements. This diversity is a source of pride and a significant strength to the community. Activists and leaders in Berkeley continue to work on a range of issues through many initiatives. However, as in other places, issues related to demographics and identity are complicated and reflect historical and structural factors that are difficult to address. The data on disparities in health make bo
- Berkeley has a reputation as a diverse and welcoming city, not afraid to be at the vanguard of social and cultural movements. This diversity is a source of pride and a significant strength to the community. Activists and leaders in Berkeley continue to work on a range of issues through many initiatives. However, as in other places, issues related to demographics and identity are complicated and reflect historical and structural factors that are difficult to address. The data on disparities in health make bo
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- DISPARITIES ACROSS RACIAL GROUPSAcross nearly every indicator of health and wellbeing collected for Berkeley there are significant differences for racial and ethnic groups. For the most comprehensive health indicator, life expectancy at birth, African Americans have consistently been projected to live 9 fewer years than the overall city average. It is also estimated that the life expectancy among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders (NH/PI) is significantly lower than
- DISPARITIES ACROSS RACIAL GROUPSAcross nearly every indicator of health and wellbeing collected for Berkeley there are significant differences for racial and ethnic groups. For the most comprehensive health indicator, life expectancy at birth, African Americans have consistently been projected to live 9 fewer years than the overall city average. It is also estimated that the life expectancy among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders (NH/PI) is significantly lower than
- DISPARITIES ACROSS RACIAL GROUPSAcross nearly every indicator of health and wellbeing collected for Berkeley there are significant differences for racial and ethnic groups. For the most comprehensive health indicator, life expectancy at birth, African Americans have consistently been projected to live 9 fewer years than the overall city average. It is also estimated that the life expectancy among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders (NH/PI) is significantly lower than
- Health disparities are the result of decisions, practices, and policies enacted over time that provide unjust advantages to some based on race and ethnicity, geography, and/or socioeconomic status. Any data point that highlights differences by race should be taken as a measure of the effects of racism. This type of systematic racism is evident across all sectors including housing, education, employment, and law enforcement. For example, numerous housing policies in Berkeley restricted non-white residents to
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- Preferential Housing Policy
- Preferential Housing Policy
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- Reparations Task Force
- Reparations Task Force
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- “There’s a lot of redlining in [Berkeley]...I think historically, if we have a community that has been here long enough to remember the train tracks and they talk about not crossing the train tracks, that is generational...it’s historical trauma that they experienced.” -FOCUS GROUP PARTCIPANT
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- “I love Berkeley because of the diversity…I just appreciate how open Berkeley is. Ideas and different types of people.” -FOCUS GROUP PARTCIPANT
- FIGURE 4:
- FIGURE 4:
- FIGURE 4:
- Life Expectancy at Birth in Berkeley
- Figure
- Age in YearsLife Expectancy at Birth by Race/Ethnicity in BerkeleySource: City of Berkeley Public Health Officer Unit, Epidemiology & Vital Statistics, US Census Bureau *Due to small population sizes, life expectancy estimates presented for American Indian/Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander are based on data for the entire State of California.WhiteHispanic/Latine/xAmerican Indian/Alaska Native*All Race/EthnicitiesAfrican AmericanAsianNative Hawaiian/Pacific Islander*6080100201020112012201320
- FIGURE 5:
- FIGURE 5:
- FIGURE 5:
- Historical Redlining Grades
- Figure
- Figure
- Figure
- Figure
- Redlining, a practice sanctioned by the federal government from the 1930s until the late 1960s, systematically denied access to mortgages, not only to individuals but to entire neighborhoods, based on their racial and ethnic composition. The above map of the City of Berkeley shows how neighborhoods were rated for mortgage lending using this practice. Red areas were labeled “hazardous” and deemed the riskiest for lending. Yellow areas were considered “declining” with elevated risk. Blue areas were marked as
- Redlining, a practice sanctioned by the federal government from the 1930s until the late 1960s, systematically denied access to mortgages, not only to individuals but to entire neighborhoods, based on their racial and ethnic composition. The above map of the City of Berkeley shows how neighborhoods were rated for mortgage lending using this practice. Red areas were labeled “hazardous” and deemed the riskiest for lending. Yellow areas were considered “declining” with elevated risk. Blue areas were marked as
- DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES
- DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES
- Based on survey data and input from focus groups and interviews, it is clear that members of identified priority populations view their own health and the health of their communities differently from other Berkeley residents. For example, of the ten health topics (See Table 1), mental health ranked as the second highest priority for African American survey respondents, but it did not make the top three in the overall survey results. Similarly, drugs and alcohol use ranked among the top three priorities for
- “As a person of color and minority, I have experienced or know others who have experienced worse living conditions or limitations in access to health and resources because of socioeconomic factors in which race plays an important role, historically speaking.”
- -
- COMMUNITY SURVEY RESPONDENT
- Differences are also reflected in responses to other community survey questions. For instance, 20% fewer youth agreed with the statement “Berkeley residents have access to resources necessary to be healthy” compared to the overall survey results. Similarly, nearly 40% fewer African Americans agreed with the statement, “Overall, I’m satisfied with my quality of life [health, comfort, happiness] in Berkeley.”
- FIGURE 6:
- FIGURE 6:
- FIGURE 6:
- Community Survey Responses by Population
- Figure
- Figure
- FINDING 3
- FINDING 3
- Health is connected to
- Health is connected to
- Health is connected to
- where people live
- where people live
- where people live
- Berkeley has neighborhoods with distinctive geographic, architectural, and cultural features that elicit strong feelings of connection from residents. However, some neighborhoods in the city face greater health challenges than others. South and West Berkeley residents, in particular, experience worse health outcomes and face more environmental hazards compared to those in the North and East, underscoring the importance of addressing geographic inequities to improve community health.
- Berkeley has neighborhoods with distinctive geographic, architectural, and cultural features that elicit strong feelings of connection from residents. However, some neighborhoods in the city face greater health challenges than others. South and West Berkeley residents, in particular, experience worse health outcomes and face more environmental hazards compared to those in the North and East, underscoring the importance of addressing geographic inequities to improve community health.
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- LIFE EXPECTANCY
- The average Berkeley resident can expect to live to age 86 (see Figure 4), an impressive number that reflects the city’s overall health. However, this longevity is not evenly distributed. Residents in the Berkeley Hills, where resources are more abundant, have the highest life expectancy in the city, with one census tract averaging 91 years. In contrast, residents in South and West Berkeley face significantly shorter life expectancies; one tract averages just 78 years – a striking 13-year gap (see Figure 7)
- “I live in a part of the city that sometimes feels as if it is not as well-resourced as other parts of the city, and I’d like to see a more equitable distribution of resources”.
- - COMMUNITY SURVEY RESPONDENT
- FIGURE 7:
- FIGURE 7:
- FIGURE 7:
- Life Expectancy at Birth by Census Tract
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- Source: City of Berkeley Public Health Officer Unit, Epidemiology & Vital Statistics, US Census Bureau 5-year estimate 2019-2023Note: Life expectancy for the census tract where the University of California, Berkeley campus is located is omitted because a very small number of people actually live in this census tract.
- ENVIRONMENTAL RISK
- ENVIRONMENTAL RISK
- Berkeley faces significant environmental risks, which are unevenly distributed across the city and exacerbated by climate change. Areas in West and Southwest Berkeley are disproportionately burdened by pollution, including diesel exhaust from vehicles, toxic emissions from facilities, and hazardous chemicals from cleanup sites (see Figure 8). These areas experience higher rates of asthma-related hospitalizations compared to the rest of the city. Meanwhile, in the eastern, wealthier neighborhoods, residents
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- “Climate change is the number one collective issue impacting all of us. Low-income communities of color are disproportionately impacted and need support to be safe during these precarious times.”
- - COMMUNITY SURVEY RESPONDENT
- In addition to these localized hazards, Berkeley as a whole is increasingly affected by worsening air quality. Climate change has led to more frequent and severe wildfire seasons in California, causing spikes in particulate matter and “bad air days” that pose serious health risks for everyone, particularly children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions. However, as highlighted throughout this report, some communities face greater risk due to social vulnerability, leaving them less
- FIGURE 8:
- FIGURE 8:
- FIGURE 8:
- Environmental Hazard Vulnerability Percentile by Census Tract
- Figure
- Source: California Office of Environmental Health Hazard, CalEnvironScreen 4.0 2021
- Source: California Office of Environmental Health Hazard, CalEnvironScreen 4.0 2021
- Source: California Office of Environmental Health Hazard, CalEnvironScreen 4.0 2021
- Note: The CalEnvironScreen 4.0 percentile for the census tract where the University of California, Berkeley
- Note: The CalEnvironScreen 4.0 percentile for the census tract where the University of California, Berkeley
- campus is located is omitted because there is a very small number of poeple that actually live in this
- census tract
- FIGURE 9:
- FIGURE 9:
- FIGURE 9:
- Integrated Fire Hazard by Berkeley Fire Zones
- Story
- In the community survey, the environmental health topic emerged among the top three for both the general population and for many of the priority populations. It was ranked as the third most important topic area for South and West Berkeley residents and the Hispanic/ Latine/ Latinx community, and it emerged as the second most important topic for LGBTQIA+ and Youth respondents (See figure 6). Community survey respondents also highlighted climate change as a key area of concern and a desire for more efforts li
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- “If you die in a fire or have your health ruined from breathing polluted air, the question of how much you enjoy living here becomes no longer relevant.” -
- COMMUNITY SURVEY RESPONDENT
- Figure
- Integrated Fire Hazard
- Integrated Fire Hazard
- Integrated Fire Hazard
- Lowest Value Highest Value
- Lowest Value Highest Value
- Source: City of Berkeley’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) Community Base Map, last updated 2023
- Source: City of Berkeley’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) Community Base Map, last updated 2023
- Source: City of Berkeley’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) Community Base Map, last updated 2023
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- Note: The percentile for the census tract where the University of California, Berkeley campus is located is omitted because there is a very small number of poeple that actually live in this census tract
- Figure
- FINDING 4
- FINDING 4
- More transparency and collaboration are
- More transparency and collaboration are
- More transparency and collaboration are
- needed to increase trust and effectiveness
- needed to increase trust and effectiveness
- of health improvement efforts
- of health improvement efforts
- Figure
- Berkeley is known for a very active and participatory political culture. Robust debates and campaigns are not uncommon on a range of topics. There are more than 30 boards and commissions to guide aspects of public decision making. Berkeley is also one of only three cities in California to have a Public Health Department, along with Long Beach and Pasadena. This is intended to allow for more responsiveness to community needs. However, there are substantive concerns about capacity and follow-through when it c
- Berkeley is known for a very active and participatory political culture. Robust debates and campaigns are not uncommon on a range of topics. There are more than 30 boards and commissions to guide aspects of public decision making. Berkeley is also one of only three cities in California to have a Public Health Department, along with Long Beach and Pasadena. This is intended to allow for more responsiveness to community needs. However, there are substantive concerns about capacity and follow-through when it c
- “Even though Berkeley has some incredibly difficult bureaucracies to deal with… when you can make contact with an individual, you feel seen and heard and cared for, which is not what I’ve experienced in other cities in California”
- - COMMUNITY INTERVIEW PARTCIPANT
- CAPACITY
- CAPACITY
- Most sentiments about city employees were positive, though there was a consistent thread about agencies and departments being understaffed, over-stretched, and operating in limited siloes. Community members referenced limited capacity and lack of collaboration specifically around mental health, a topic where residents see a lot of complexity and barriers to service. Barriers mentioned included limited coverage, the need for different providers depending on condition and severity, and lack of integration wit
- “If Multicultural Institute wasn’t here. If Berkeley Food Network wasn’t here offering the food to folks. If Lifelong wasn’t offering those services, who would be offering the services? Would the city have the capacity and the ability to offer services the way that our community organizations are able to offer it in a more appropriate way…the answer right now I think is no, right?
- - COMMUNITY INTERVIEW PARTICIPANT
- Berkeley has diverse and strong Community Based Organizations (CBOs) that are deeply connected to communities. However, systems can be difficult to navigate for both clients and staff at these CBOs. Referrals across organizations of care require multiple steps and often organizations cannot share data with one another. Increased coordination with each other and the City would further their impact and efficiency. However, funding for developing and improving operations and collaboration is hard to come by.
- PROCESS ACCOUNTABILITY
- There are many planning and assessment processes underway at any moment in Berkeley. While seeking community input is an important step and intention, relationships are undermined when a process ends with simply identifying problems. Community members can feel frustrated and lose trust when they are not included in sharing power to design solutions or when there is little follow-up or communication about progress.
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- PANDEMIC EFFECTS The COVID-19 pandemic caused, or exacerbated, a wave of health, mental health, and social challenges that extended far beyond the direct deaths and illnesses it caused.11 As one survey respondent put it, “Understand that all of us have PTSD from the pandemic.” Young people in particular are experiencing significantly higher rates of anxiety and depression.12 For many, connections to neighbors and friends became a matter of life-or-death, especially for the most vulnerable, such as older adu
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- “A lot of requests are for the
- “A lot of requests are for the
- community to tell us your
- story and then in return,
- they feel like they don’t
- get anything so…there’s a
- feeling of hopelessness. If
- you’re gonna promise people
- things, at the very baseline
- deliver on that promise.”
- - COMMUNITY INTERVIEW PARTICIPANT
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- FINDING 5
- FINDING 5
- Berkeley is becoming a more difficult
- Berkeley is becoming a more difficult
- Berkeley is becoming a more difficult
- place for people to afford to live well
- place for people to afford to live well
- Berkeley residents feel strongly about their community and want their families to have the option to stay in the city. However, the high cost of living, particularly housing, has created a lot of stress, displacing long-time residents and forcing individuals and families to make difficult economic decisions. These decisions–like whether to prioritize spending on housing, utilities, food, or medicine–have profound impacts on health and wellbeing.
- Berkeley residents feel strongly about their community and want their families to have the option to stay in the city. However, the high cost of living, particularly housing, has created a lot of stress, displacing long-time residents and forcing individuals and families to make difficult economic decisions. These decisions–like whether to prioritize spending on housing, utilities, food, or medicine–have profound impacts on health and wellbeing.
- FIGURE 10: P
- FIGURE 10: P
- FIGURE 10: P
- ercent of Homeowners by Race/Ethnicity in Berkeley
- HOUSING AFFORDABILITY AND DISPLACEMENT
- HOUSING AFFORDABILITY AND DISPLACEMENT
- The rise in housing costs has significantly impacted Berkeley residents, forcing some to live in overcrowded conditions, move to other communities, or become unhoused. Displacement due to unaffordable housing can have serious health and social consequences, such as living in homes with health hazards, losing access to essential services, and becoming disconnected from communities of belonging.
- Importantly, rising housing costs have not affected all groups equally (see Figure 11). White residents, for example, are much more likely to own homes than other racial and ethnic groups (see Figure 10). This inequity is particularly felt by Berkeley’s African American population, which has declined by more than 50% over the past 50 years. Today, African Americans make up just 7.5% of the city’s population but account for over 40% of its unhoused residents. For African American residents who are housed, ma
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- UC Berkeley students, who account for a large share of the city’s renters, also face challenges, with 10% of undergraduate and graduate students reporting being unhoused due to the high cost of living and education expenses.
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- “There have been several people that I’ve met who are living in a car or staying with friends living on a couch, and if you don’t have secure housing and food, you can’t have good mental health. You can’t have good health. You’re stymied from the beginning.”
- FOCUS GROUP PARTICIPANT
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- Individuals who do not have stable housing have much worse physical and mental health outcomes and also affect the overall health of the city by overtaxing systems and services. While the city recently reported significant improvements in the number of unhoused individuals, the reality for those lacking shelter remains grave. Housing emerged as the top issue for both the overall survey respondent pool and for all five priority populations.
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- “Berkeley has so much affluence, but resources are not equitably distributed. I have seen many families of color leave my area in South Berkeley because the rent became too high to afford. Better public services and more affordable housing could allow people to stay in Berkeley.”
- - COMMUNITY SURVEY RESPONDENT
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- INCOME INEQUALITYMedian household income, a key measure of economic stability that is highly correlated with home ownership, is just under $105,000 for the city overall; well above the median for the state ($92,000) and the nation ($75,000). However, this overall number masks significant disparities: when disaggregated by race and ethnicity, we see the median household income for African American households is $52,000, not even half that of the citywide median (see Figure 12).
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- “We’re going on strike because we’re not getting paid salaries that are livable anymore. A lot of teachers are on strike as well because the wages aren’t affordable. No one could afford to live in Berkeley anymore. It’s a reality, right?” -FOCUS GROUP PARTICIPANT
- The median for Hispanic/Latine/Latinx households ($67,000) is also much lower than the average. Much like life expectancy, median household income in Berkeley varies significantly by geography. Census tracts in the Berkeley Hills report the highest median household income levels (more than $200,000) while census tracts in South Berkeley and West Berkeley report the lowest levels (less than $100,000). In the community survey, the topic of jobs and money was near the bottom for the overall population, but it
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- There is a deep emotional component that underlies these statistics. The influx of white and affluent residents, that many describe as gentrification, threatens the character and long-standing narrative of Berkeley as home to an economically thriving Black and Brown community at the forefront of social movements.17 Although the toll of displacement is hard to measure, there is not only a need to prevent displacement but to remember the stories of the communities that shaped Berkeley into the place that so m
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- Percent of Homeowners by Race/Ethnicity in BerkeleySource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey Data, 5-year estimates 2018-202253%53%53%34.2%34.2%34.2%31.2%31.2%31.2%23.3%23.3%23.3%20.6%20.6%20.6%14.3%14.3%14.3%WhiteAfrican AmericanAsianHispanic/Latine/xAmerican Indian/Alaska NativeNative Hawaiian/Pacific Islander0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%55%
- Percent of Homeowners by Race/Ethnicity in BerkeleySource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey Data, 5-year estimates 2018-202253%53%53%34.2%34.2%34.2%31.2%31.2%31.2%23.3%23.3%23.3%20.6%20.6%20.6%14.3%14.3%14.3%WhiteAfrican AmericanAsianHispanic/Latine/xAmerican Indian/Alaska NativeNative Hawaiian/Pacific Islander0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%55%
- FIGURE 11:
- FIGURE 11:
- FIGURE 11:
- FIGURE 11:
- FIGURE 11:
- Percent of Berkeley Households Paying More Than 30% of Their Income for Rent
- by Race/Ethnicity
- Percent of Households Paying More Than 30% of Their Income for Rent byRace/Ethnicity in BerkeleySources: US Department of Housing and Development, Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy Data 2017-2021 *Due to the small number of households that identify as Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, the percent shown for this race are based on data for the entire state of California.60.8%60.8%60.8%59.3%59.3%59.3%53.8%53.8%53.8%47.5%47.5%47.5%45%45%45%35.3%35.3%35.3%African AmericanHispanic/Latine/xAsianNative H
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- FIGURE 12:
- FIGURE 12:
- FIGURE 12:
- Median Income of Berkeley Households by Race/Ethnicity
- Figure
- Median Income by Race/Ethnicity of Householder in BerkeleySource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey Data, 5-year estimates 2018-2022 *Due to the small number of households that identify as Native Hawaiian/PacificIslander, the percent shown for this race are based on data for the entire state ofCalifornia.$138,398$138,398$138,398$95,021$95,021$95,021$81,250$81,250$81,250$80,386$80,386$80,386$79,596$79,596$79,596$66,916$66,916$66,916$62,541$62,541$62,541$52,125$52,125$52,125WhiteNative Hawaiian/Paci
- Figure
- FINDING 6
- FINDING 6
- Connection and safety are essential for
- Connection and safety are essential for
- Connection and safety are essential for
- supporting mental and physical wellbeing
- supporting mental and physical wellbeing
- Community safety ranked just behind housing in the community survey. Notably, the two highest-ranking topics are not directly related to health or within the jurisdiction of public health agencies. This suggests that members of the Berkeley community are thinking broadly about what determines health and how to achieve wellness. The responses to the survey and discussions in our focus groups and interviews about safety reflected a focus on reducing crime but also on reducing stress and creating spaces where
- Community safety ranked just behind housing in the community survey. Notably, the two highest-ranking topics are not directly related to health or within the jurisdiction of public health agencies. This suggests that members of the Berkeley community are thinking broadly about what determines health and how to achieve wellness. The responses to the survey and discussions in our focus groups and interviews about safety reflected a focus on reducing crime but also on reducing stress and creating spaces where
- Link
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- Reference
- Link
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- Annot
- h2
- MENTAL HEALTH AND CONNECTEDNESSMental Health emerged as a significant concern, ranking as the fourth highest priority in the overall survey and the second-highest priority among African American respondents. Many participants correlated their mental health with feelings of safety and community connectedness and belonging. In addition, responses reflected a desire for responses that address a range of mental health issues from anxiety and loneliness to serious and persistent illness as well as the need for m
- “When folks feel like they are part of a community, they’re happier, they feel more included. They feel overall better.”
- COMMUNITY INTERVIEW PARTICIPANT
- “[I prioritized Community
- “[I prioritized Community
- “[I prioritized Community
- Safety because] I think it can
- be an indicator of community
- wellness. No, I do not think
- we need more police, nor do I
- think they need more funding.
- But I would love to see more
- funding for social services,
- including providing housing
- security for our unhoused
- residents.”
- Span
- - COMMUNITY SURVEY PARTCIPANT
- FIGURE 13:
- FIGURE 13:
- FIGURE 13:
- FIGURE 13:
- Percent of Residents 18 Years Old+ that Needed Help for Mental Health Problems
- Percent of the population over 18 yearsPercent of Residents 18 Years and Older that Needed Help for MentalHealth Problems in Berkeley, Alameda County and CaliforniaSource: University of California, Los Angeles, California Health Interview Survey,Neighborhood EditionBerkeleyAlameda CountyCalifornia15%20%25%30%35%40%2013-20142015-20162017-20182019-20202012-2022
- FIGURE 14:
- FIGURE 14:
- FIGURE 14:
- FIGURE 14:
- Rate of Mental Health Related Hospitalization Among Residents 18 Years old+
- by Race/Ethnicity in Berkeley
- Hospitalization Rate per 100,000Rate of Mental Health Related Hospitalization Among Residents 18 Yearsand Older by Race/Ethnicity in BerkeleySource: California Department of Health Care Access and Information, HospitalizationData 2020-2022, Esri Demographics 2020-2022 *Due to the small number ofhospitalizations among residents 18 and older that that identify as NativeHawaiian/Pacific Islander, the percent shown for this race are based on data for theentire state of California.16,43916,43916,43914,32314,3231
- Source: California Department of Health Care Access and Information, Hospitalization Data 2020-2022,
- Source: California Department of Health Care Access and Information, Hospitalization Data 2020-2022,
- Source: California Department of Health Care Access and Information, Hospitalization Data 2020-2022,
- Span
- Esri Demographics 2020-2022
- Note: Due to the small number of hospitalizations among residents 18 and older that that identify as Native Hawaiian/
- Note: Due to the small number of hospitalizations among residents 18 and older that that identify as Native Hawaiian/
- Pacific Islander, the percent shown for this race are based on data for the entire state of California.
- Story
- h2
- LGBTQIA+ SAFETYParticipants shared particular concerns about the health and safety of the LGBTQIA+ community, especially the mental health and personal safety of LGBTQIA+ youth. Young people who identify as LGBTQIA+ experience higher rates of attempted suicide, depression and anxiety. There are very few programs that provide mental health services to this demographic. Existing services may also not be set up to meet the specific needs of LGBTQIA+ people. For example, individuals who identify as nonbinary a
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- “[LGBTQIA youth have] over 120% higher chance of being unhoused than non-queer youth. Youth may feel the need to do survival sex work...LGBTQIA youth are at risk, they are a population that is not prioritized in funding…I want to see LGBTQIA youth prioritized as a population.” -COMMUNITY INTERVIEW PARTICIPANT
- Figure
- DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES ON SAFETY STRATEGIES
- DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES ON SAFETY STRATEGIES
- There are a range of ideas about how to improve safety in Berkeley including support for expanded resources for the Berkeley Police Department, a focus on community connected law enforcement, diversion of police resources into alternative response models, a focus on improving traffic safety, and a recognition that safety is connected to a number of other issues, like housing, economic security, and belonging. As noted above, many participants in this assessment discussed safety in terms of both physical and
- “… when we actually center connection and belonging as a public health matter, we can see that the community starts healing itself.”
- - COMMUNITY INTERVIEW PARTICIPANT
- FIGURE 15:
- FIGURE 15:
- FIGURE 15:
- Rate of Violent Crimes
- Rate per 100,000Rate of Violent Crimes in Berkeley and Alameda CountySource: State of California Department of Justice, OpenJustice Data Portal, EsriDemographics 2005-2022 *Estimates are for Alameda County excluding BerkeleyAlameda County*Berkeley050010001500200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022
- FIGURE 16:
- FIGURE 16:
- FIGURE 16:
- Rate of Non-violent Crimes
- Rate per 100,000Rate of non-violent crimes in Berkeley and Alameda CountySource: State of California Department of Justice, OpenJustice Data Portal, EsriDemographics 2005-2022 *Estimates are for Alameda County excluding BerkeleyAlameda County*Berkeley05k10k15k20k25k200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022
- Figure
- Story
- Conclusion
- Conclusion
- Conclusion
- Berkeley is considered a great place to live, start a family, and grow old. Its physical and social environments make it a unique small city. However, there is still work to do to ensure that Berkeley is a place where all people thrive. The priority populations that were identified during the CHA process deserve particular focus and investment in order to advance and achieve health equity.
- Berkeley is considered a great place to live, start a family, and grow old. Its physical and social environments make it a unique small city. However, there is still work to do to ensure that Berkeley is a place where all people thrive. The priority populations that were identified during the CHA process deserve particular focus and investment in order to advance and achieve health equity.
- Participants in the CHA process expressed desire that the city of Berkeley provide sustainable investments to improve services, center community voice in non-extractive ways, encourage collaboration across community organizations, and work to change harmful systems.
- Although the challenges are significant, with commitment and thoughtful allocation of resources, the Berkeley community can improve the ability of all residents–regardless of factors such as neighborhood, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity– to live healthy, fulfilling lives.
- Endnotes
- Endnotes
- body
- Note
- Link
- 1 National Neighborhood Data Archive (NaNDA): Parks by Census Tract, United States, 2018 https://www.openicpsr.org/openicpsr/project/117921/
- version/V1/view
- body
- Note
- Link
- 2 “National Walkability Index.” 2021. United States Environmental Protection Agency. https://epa.maps.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.
- html?useExisting=1.
- NormalParagraphStyle
- Note
- Link
- 3
- California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), Patient Discharge Data 2020-2022 (for hospitalization rates), and the California De
- -
- partment of Public Health, California Comprehensive Death File (2020-22) (for death rates and YPLL).
- body
- Note
- Link
- 4 Boyd, Rhea W., Edwin G. Lindo, Lachelle D. Weeks, and Monica R. McLemore. 2020. “On Racism: A New Standard For Publishing On Racial Health
- Inequities.” Health Affairs. https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/racism-new-standard-publishing-racial-health-inequities.
- body
- Note
- Link
- 5 Arreguín, Jesse. 2023. “Berkeley Council Adopts Housing Preference Policy as Redress for Redlining & BART Construction.” Mayor Jesse Arreguín.
- https://www.jessearreguin.com/press-releases/2023/7/24/berkeley-council-adopts-housing-preference-policy-as-redress-for-redlining-amp-bart-
- construction.
- body
- Note
- Link
- 6 BUSD Reparations Task Force. 2024. “Reparations Task Force.” Berkeley Public Schools. https://www.berkeleyschools.net/reparations-task-force/.
- NormalParagraphStyle
- Note
- Link
- 7 California Office of Environmental Health Hazard, CalEnvironScreen 4.0, 2021 release
- NormalParagraphStyle
- Note
- Link
- 8 California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) , Patient Discharge Data 2020-2022
- body
- Note
- Link
- 9 City of Berkeley, Fire Zones Map, https://berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/files/2022-04/Berkeley-Fire-Zone-Map.pdf
- body
- Note
- Link
- 10
- Klein, Jordan. 2022. “Climate Action Plan and Resilience Update”. City Council Report. https://berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/files/
- documents/2022-11-29%20Item%2016%20Climate%20Action%20Plan.pdf
- body
- Note
- Link
- 11
- Hosseinzadeh P, Zareipour M, Baljani E, Moradali MR. Social Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic. A Systematic Review. Invest Educ Enferm. 2022
- Mar;40(1):e10. doi: 10.17533/udea.iee.v40n1e10.
- body
- Note
- Link
- 12
- California Health and Human Services Agency, Youth at the Center: Calls-to-action for a reimagined behavioral health ecosystem from children, youth,
- and families across California. https://www.chhs.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/CYBHI-Youth-at-the-Center-Report.FINAL_.pdf
- body
- Note
- Link
- https://dailycal-projects.netlify.app/2022-01-21-exodus
- https://dailycal-projects.netlify.app/2022-01-21-exodus
- 13
- Fozi C, Roseborough V, Lin A. Black exodus from Berkeley. Daily Cal Projects, February 2022.
- body
- Note
- Link
- 14
- UC Office of Planning and Analysis, Housing Survey Findings, https://housing.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/HousingSurvey_03022018.pdf.
- body
- Note
- Link
- 15
- Yelimeli, Supriya. 2024. “Homeless count shows 45% drop in unsheltered people in Berkeley.” Berkeleyside. https://www.berkeleyside.org/2024/05/15/
- homeless-count-shows-45-drop-in-unsheltered-people-in-berkeley
- body
- Note
- Link
- 16
- ACS 2018-2022 5 year estimates.
- body
- Note
- Link
- 17
- Truly CA. “Welcome to the Neighborhood”. 2018. PBS. https://www.pbs.org/video/welcome-to-the-neighborhood-truly-ca-zag6fb/
- body
- Note
- Link
- 18
- City Manager’s Office. 2024. “Reimagining Public Safety”. City of Berkeley. https://berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Reimagining%20
- Public%20Safety%20Fall%202024%20Update.pdf
- APPENDICES
- APPENDICES
- Appendix A:
- Appendix A:
- Berkeley Health Profile
- Appendix B:
- Appendix B:
- Methodology
- Appendix C:
- Appendix C:
- Community Steering Committee Members and Bios
- Appendix D:
- Appendix D:
- Participating Organizations
- Appendix E:
- Appendix E:
- Principles
- Appendix F:
- Appendix F:
- Qualitative Data Findings
- Appendix G:
- Appendix G:
- Survey Findings
- APPENDIX A: BERKELEY HEALTH PROFILE
- APPENDIX A: BERKELEY HEALTH PROFILE
- This section includes a selection of data points relevant for understanding the landscape of wellness in Berkeley.
- This section includes a selection of data points relevant for understanding the landscape of wellness in Berkeley.
- Figure
- Demographics
- Demographics
- The population of the City
- The population of the City
- of Berkeley continues to
- grow. Close to half (48%)
- of Berkeley’s population
- identifies as a race other than
- white.
- 1
- Approximately one-
- third of Berkeley’s overall
- population are students and
- staff associated with the
- world-renowned University
- of California, Berkeley.
- 2
- Over
- 20% of the population are
- immigrants that speak a
- number of different languages
- (Spanish, Indo-European
- languages, languages from Asia
- and the Pacific Islands, etc.).
- The population is clustered
- by race/ethnicity and
- socioeconomic status across
- the city map.
- Figure
- Figure
- Figure
- 1
- 1
- 1
- US Census Bureau, American Community
- Survey Data, 5-year estimates 2018-2022
- Survey Data, 5-year estimates 2018-2022
- 2
- 2
- University of California, Berkeley, Office of
- Planning and Analysis Quick Facts 2024; US
- Planning and Analysis Quick Facts 2024; US
- Census Bureau, American Community Survey
- Data, 5-year estimates 2018-2022
- Figure
- Behaviors
- Behaviors
- Differences in socioeconomic
- Differences in socioeconomic
- status and other social
- determinants of health affect
- the health behaviors of people.
- People with less resources
- have been found to be more
- likely to smoke tobacco,
- be less physically active,
- and are less likely to attend
- routine, preventative medical
- check-ups than people with
- more resources. In Berkeley,
- disparities in socioeconomic
- status are across different
- races and ethnicities, which
- correlate to the disparities
- seen geographically.
- Figure
- Figure
- Story
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- Health OutcomesDisparities in resources and health behaviors result in impacts on health outcomes. More adults in West and South Berkeley report fair or poor general health than in other parts of the city. Rates of asthma are higher in West, Central and South Berkeley. Death rates from all types of cancer are different among the different racial and ethnic groups in Berkeley, with African Americans experiencing the highest mortality rates from cancer. Overall, African Americans suffer a disproportionate num
- Figure
- Figure
- Figure
- Figure
- APPENDIX B: METHODOLOGY
- APPENDIX B: METHODOLOGY
- Formation of the Community Steering Committee
- To ensure that the Berkeley Wellness Blueprint is a community-driven process, the JSI team assembled a community steering committee (CSC). CSC members are expected to:
- •
- •
- •
- •
- Attend regular meetings for the duration of the project
- •
- •
- •
- Provide feedback on the design of the CHA and CHIP process
- •
- •
- •
- Review materials that will be distributed to the community
- •
- •
- •
- Support in prioritizing action items for the CHIP
- •
- •
- •
- Help to identify and connect with community members and organizationsto participate in interviews and focus groups
- •
- •
- •
- Help develop data collection tools such as the questions that are askedduring an interview or focus group
- •
- •
- •
- Lead or co-lead community engagement activities, such as focus groups orcommunity listening sessions
- Recruitment
- An open application was used to recruit CSC members, with flyers distributed both electronically and in public spaces throughout Berkeley (e.g., libraries, community organizations, parks, grocery stores). Over 60 applications were submitted. The eight members were selected based on several criteria: residency or employment in Berkeley; a demonstrated interest in Berkeley’s health and wellness; experience with accessing, providing, or advocating for improved services or policies; diverse identities and backg
- Acknowledging that each member would be making a significant time commitment, a stipend was given to either the individual or to the community-based organization they represent. Due to resource limitations, the CSC was only eligible to individuals who are comfortable communicating in English.
- Qualitative Data Collection Plan
- Through a codesign process with the CSC, four guiding questions emerged:
- 1.
- 1.
- 1.
- 1.
- In what spaces do you feel cared for, seen, and loved?
- 2.
- 2.
- 2.
- How does lived experience and identity affect the way individuals interactand feel connected with(in) the Berkeley community?
- 3.
- 3.
- 3.
- What are the assets and challenges in the Berkeley community that affecthealth and wellness? And how can assets be used differently to addresschallenges?
- 4.
- 4.
- 4.
- What initiatives (existing or not) would help in achieving a vision ofwellness for all Berkeley residents?
- These guiding questions shaped engagement methods used for CHA, as well as questions to be asked during interviews and focus groups, and the analysis plan for the data collected.
- Identifying Priority Populations
- While it would have been ideal to engage with every group represented in Berkeley, this was not feasible. As a result, it became necessary to prioritize populations for the Community Health Assessment (CHA) data collection. CSC members, drawing on information from the landscape scan as well as their knowledge and experiences in Berkeley, were asked to:
- •
- •
- •
- •
- Define priority groups for CHA data collection
- •
- •
- •
- Provide insights into the best ways to engage with each priority population
- •
- •
- •
- Identify key locations and spaces for connecting with these groups
- •
- •
- •
- Determine how to engage in a respectful, culturally relevant manner thatfostered trust and avoided an extractive approach
- Through this process, several priority populations were identified as disproportionately affected by health inequities in Berkeley. These included asylum seekers, immigrants, refugees, the Black community in South and West Berkeley, the Latinx/Latine community in South and West Berkeley, and the LGBTQIA+ community. These perspectives were crucial to center in the CHA data collection, as they were likely to be most impacted by the recommendations emerging from the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). In
- Priority Populations
- •
- •
- •
- •
- Black/African Americans
- •
- •
- •
- Latine/Latinx/ Hispanics
- •
- •
- •
- LGBTQIA+
- •
- •
- •
- Youth
- •
- •
- •
- Residents in South and West Berkeley
- We spoke to members of these communities along with staff fromorganizations who directly work with these groups.
- Recruitment of CHA Interviewees and Focus Group Participants
- After prioritization, the CSC and JSI team began recruiting individuals and organizations who either represented the priority populations or who worked closely with the priority groups. Existing relationships were crucial in recruitment. We conducted five individual interviews, 2 group interviews, and three focus groups.
- Interviews were completed with community and nonprofit leaders as well as direct service providers. The three focus groups engaged priority populations and were completed in collaboration with nonprofit organizations based in Berkeley who have established relationships with and trust among community members. The focus groups took place with 1)the Pacific Center for Human Growth, the oldest LGBTQIA+ center inthe Bay Area whose mission is to enhance the mental health and overallwell-being of the LGBTQIA+ and
- All focus group participants were given a $50 gift card for their participation in the discussion and for filling out a demographic questionnaire. Organizations were provided with a $200 gift card for their support in organizing and recruiting participants for the focus groups.
- It is important to emphasize that, while the number of participants may seem small compared to the total population of Berkeley, the purpose of the interviews and focus groups, and qualitative data collection more generally, is to gain deeper insights into perspectives and experiences. Rather than seeking a large volume of responses, this approach aimed to explore the complexity and nuance of lived experiences of community members, particularly those from priority populations and individuals who work closel
- We also acknowledge that people hold multiple intersecting identities, which cannot be fully captured by a single checkbox. We encouraged participants to share any aspects of their lived experience they felt comfortable discussing, knowing that identity is multifaceted. Additionally, we recognize that one person’s experience reflects their unique perspective and does not necessarily represent the views of everyone who shares a similar identity. Our goal was not to generalize but to gain a deeper, more nuanc
- Qualitative Data Analysis
- Following interviews and focus groups, a team of three analyzed the notes and transcripts to identify a set of themes and sub themes that emerged (see table below). For example, if a focus group participant talked about how they feel appreciated and heard when they spend time in the senior center that quote was highlighted and coded as a community strength, sub-theme community organization.
- All findings and coded passages were de-identified and quotes were presented in a way that did not directly attribute it to any participants. These major themes and de-identified quotes were then brought to two sense-making sessions, one with JSI
- team members and the second with CSC members. The goal of the sense making sessions was to understand what story the data was telling and what major themes emerged. These sessions also informed and shaped aspects of the community survey.
- Community Survey
- The stories and insights that emerged during interviews and focus groups and internal sense making sessions were utilized to inform a community-wide survey aimed at assessing people’s views on health and wellbeing in Berkeley. The goal of the survey was to receive input from the wider Berkeley community on their health status and recommendations on the priorities for the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).
- The CSC guided the development of the survey to ensure that the survey was accessible to the wider Berkeley community.
- The survey had three main sections: Sentiment Statements, Focus Area Prioritization and Demographics (Appendix J). We collected extensive demographic data in order to disaggregate and analyze the responses from priority populations.
- For the second section of the survey, respondents were asked to prioritize three out of ten areas as “the most important for the Berkeley Wellness Blueprint to focus on in order to improve community health and wellbeing in Berkeley.” These ten focus areas emerged from the Landscape Scan, interviews, focus groups and CSC consultation.
- Community surveys provide valuable insights but have inherent limitations that can affect the representativeness and accuracy of results. One challenge is participation bias, as individuals who choose to respond may differ significantly from those who do not. Respondents are often people with more time, higher education levels, or stronger opinions, which can lead to an overrepresentation of certain perspectives.
- Additionally, access and outreach barriers may prevent some groups - such as individuals with limited internet access, non-native speakers, or those with lower literacy - from participating. Even among those reached, survey fatigue can reduce response quality, with some participants choosing not to complete the survey and dropping off part way through.
- For this survey, we had low engagement from some of the priority populations we had identified, meaning that key perspectives may be missing from the data. In particular, we struggled to reach non-English speakers and individuals identifying as Hispanic Latine/ Latinx. These limitations underscore the importance of using complementary methods, such as focus groups and interviews, to ensure representative and actionable insights.
- APPENDIX C: COMMUNITY STEERING MEMBERS AND BIOS
- APPENDIX C: COMMUNITY STEERING MEMBERS AND BIOS
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- Rosio Almaguer Andrade (she/they) Rosio works at Berkeley’s Ecology Center focusing on food systems and is currently getting their master’s in urban planning. They identify as a non-binary, Latinx first-generation college graduate who works with farmers market professionals as well as local government and community members to expand food access. Rosio views public health through the intersectional lens of food justice and urban planning and hopes the Community Steering Committee experience will give them th
- Penelope Collins (she/her) Penelope is a retired veterinarian who is currently on the Commission on Aging for the City of Berkeley and whose family has lived in Berkeley for generations. She currently lives in the South Berkeley house her grandparents built in 1929 and brings a deep understanding of Berkeley’s history with hopes it can help inform the development of realistic wellness goals for Berkeley residents. Penelope doesn’t want Berkeley to lose the magic she has experienced as a lifelong resident.
- Michai Freeman (she/her) Michai is the Systems Change Advocate at the Center for Independent Living where she works to reduce barriers to accessibility and inclusion in community and public programs. She identifies as black woman with a physical disability, with experience in disability and health education, as well as wellness delivery services. Michai feels it is essential for people with disabilities to be involved in the Berkeley Wellness Blueprint, especially when it comes to community engagement.
- JW Frye (he/him) J.W. is the Executive Director at Rebuilding Together East Bay Network where his work focuses on addressing health equity in housing and senior services through workforce development, opportunities for older adults, as well as intergenerational engagement and skill sharing. He believes there are ways to continue improving public health through uplifting the diverse lived experiences of Berkeley’s residents. J.W. sees his background in public service as valuable to the Community Steering Com
- Kaitlyn (Kati) Khov (she/they) Kati is a transfer student at UC Berkeley majoring in urban studies who has experience in advocating for policy change and proposal writing. As a cancer survivor and member of the disabled and LGBTQIA+ communities, her goal for the Community Steering Committee is to work collaboratively to inform funding initiatives and development in disenfranchised communities. Kati’s highest priority is to serve local communities in highly exposed areas facing displacement.
- Isabella Ledezema (she/her) Isabella is a junior at Berkeley High and is also involved with Berkeley’s Youth Equity Partnership with experience presenting deliverables to the city and school district. She is excited to be part of action oriented work to impact community health.
- Matt Matusiewicz (he/him) Matt is a research analyst for the Division of Health Equity and Society in the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. Drawing on his family’s experiences and strength, Matt is dedicated to advancing the health and well-being of low-income and immigrant communities. Since 2019, he has been heavily involved with East Bay Sanctuary Covenant/Santuario in Berkeley, working to enhance the health and welfare of asylum seekers through comprehensive social,
- Israel Nikodimos (she/her) Israel is a student at Berkeley High who also has been involved in Berkeley’s Youth Equity Partnership is a volunteer at UCSF children’s hospital shadowing doctors and seeing what it means to be heavily involved in medicine. She has participated in a numerous amount of services that help benefit my community such as black student union president and student council as well as read and reviewed grants to help fund our local programs that help benefit young children.
- Claritza Rios (she/her) Claritza is a physician from South Berkeley who has experience providing care in emergency, internal, and palliative medicine. She identifies as an immigrant Latina as well as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community who wants to be able to “slam doors open for people,’’ by being an agent of change towards health equity and becoming a voice for the oppressed. Claritza appreciates the importance of addressing health equity by tackling social determinants of health and advocating for better
- Michael Rodriguez (he/him) Michael is a physician and the Executive Director of the California Alliance for Academics and Communities for Public Health Equity and currently resides in Berkeley’s Oceanview neighborhood. As a bi-lingual, first-generation Latino American, he has experience providing health care for low income communities and people with mental illness. Michael has a passion for promoting health equity in his city and around the world.
- APPENDIX D: PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS
- APPENDIX D: PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS
- Pacific Center for Human Growth
- Provides resources and services supporting and enhancing the mental health and well-being of LGBTQIA+ and QTBIPOC people.
- Multicultural Institute
- Provides resources and services for immigrant communities, particularly Hispanic/Latinx/Latine immigrants.
- Healthy Black Families
- Provides resources and services to support and uplift Black individuals and families in Berkeley
- La Peña Cultural Center
- Fosters and hosts cultural events, gatherings, and performances rooted in the Latin American and Caribbean diaspora.
- East Bay Sanctuary Covenant
- Provides programming to asylum seekers, refugee, and immigrant communities for legal, social, and advocacy services.
- APPENDIX E: GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR THE CHA
- APPENDIX E: GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR THE CHA
- Principles
- •
- •
- •
- •
- Share and build from existing information: We aren’t asking questions without providing relevantdata (conclusions from other reports and assessments, quantitative data); qualitative data collectionshould help interpret quantitative information.
- •
- •
- •
- Lead toward solutions: Qualitative processes should both expand understanding of needs/issues andpoint toward potential solutions; community perspectives should be centered throughout the CHA/CHIP.
- •
- •
- •
- Emphasize balance between upstream and downstream perspectives: Questions and dialogues shouldmake connections between health and safety outcomes and community and structural factors.
- •
- •
- •
- Emphasize balance between asset and deficit perspectives: Assessment processes tend to focus onwhat is wrong; it is important to also identify community strengths as those can be instrumental tosolutions.
- •
- •
- •
- Acknowledge but don’t be limited by resource and accountability constraints: Set realisticexpectations for participants; some ideas are more readily actionable than others, but we want agenuine perspective on the issues that are shaping health in Berkeley.
- •
- •
- •
- Strive for broad understanding: Bias and professional language can create barriers andmisunderstandings; focus on deeply listening and providing space for arriving at shared meaning.
- Theme
- Theme
- Theme
- Theme
- Theme
- Theme
- Theme
- Analysis from CHA Community Data Collection
- Analysis from CHA Community Data Collection
- Strength
- Strength
- Strength
- Strength
- In Berkeley, the physical environment is:
- In Berkeley, the physical environment is:
- Accessible and walkable/wheelable routes
- Nature: like Parks, Mountains, Water
- the environment as places of connection and acceptance
- Strength
- Strength
- Strength
- Strength
- In Berkeley, community members
- In Berkeley, community members
- Characteristics: Resilient, Passionate, Caring, Treat people well, Diverse, Welcoming
- Passionate and caring city leadership
- Build spaces of connection and networks of support
- Community activism
- Strength
- Strength
- Strength
- Strength
- In Berkeley, Community Organizations
- In Berkeley, Community Organizations
- Are helpful and kind
- Places where community members feel seen, heard, and understood
- Have a good amount of resources and services
- Opportunity for
- Opportunity for
- Opportunity for
- Opportunity for
- Improvement
- Jobs and Money in Berkeley
- Jobs and Money in Berkeley
- Need for more access to jobs that pay a living wage
- Job training and placement services and supports
- HIgh cost of basic necessities and services (food, transportation, healthcare)
- Opportunity for
- Opportunity for
- Opportunity for
- Opportunity for
- Improvement
- Housing in Berkeley
- Housing in Berkeley
- People are having to live in overcrowded housing situations
- Low access to affordable housing
- Concerns about the health and safety of unhoused people
- Gentrification and displacement a topic of concern
- Opportunity for
- Opportunity for
- Opportunity for
- Opportunity for
- Improvement
- Mental Health in Berkeley
- Mental Health in Berkeley
- Need for more access and affordability of mental health services
- Need for more availability of a range of services and supports that match community need
- Need efforts to destigmatize mental health issues
- Need more coordination across mental health, physical health, and other social services
- Stress and social isolation are connected to mental health
- Opportunity for Improvement
- Opportunity for Improvement
- Opportunity for Improvement
- Sense of Belonging in Berkeley
- Sense of Belonging in Berkeley
- Need for more safety and welcoming public spaces
- Need to create spaces where people come together and build connections
- Opportunity for Improvement
- Opportunity for Improvement
- Opportunity for Improvement
- Unsupportive Systems and Structures in Berkeley
- Unsupportive Systems and Structures in Berkeley
- challenge around government accountability
- need for improved community engagement
- Lacking representation, discrimination and racism is prevalent
- APPENDIX F: QUALITATIVE DATA FINDINGS
- APPENDIX F: QUALITATIVE DATA FINDINGS
- The table is a summary of the themes and findings from CHA data collection. This included focus groups (n=4), and community interviews (n=6)
- APPENDIX G: SURVEY FINDINGS
- APPENDIX G: SURVEY FINDINGS
- Figure
- Figure
- Figure
- Figure
- Figure
- Figure
- Figure
- Figure
- Figure
- Figure
- Figure
- Figure
- Figure
- Figure
- Community-Health-Improvement-Plan.pdf
- Letter for Commission Discussion on Flock Contract Extension 4.12.26.pdf