A squatter removal cottage industry has grown out of California’s housing crisis, catering to property owners who don’t want to go to court.
Author Archives: Natalie Orenstein
Natalie Orenstein is a senior reporter covering City Hall, housing and homelessness for The Oaklandside. Her reporting on a flood of eviction cases following the end of the Alameda County pandemic moratorium won recognition from the Society of Professional Reporters NorCal in 2024. Natalie was previously on staff at Berkeleyside, where she covered education, including extensive, award-winning reporting on the legacy of school desegregation in Berkeley Unified. Natalie lives in Oakland, grew up in Berkeley, and has only left her beloved East Bay once, to attend Pomona College.
Posted inArts & Community
The best Oakland news of 2025
From bald eagles to better sidewalks, there’s been plenty to cheer about in our spirited city this year.
Posted inArts & Community
Oakland’s Black Arts Movement and Business District wins coveted state designation
Established in 2016, the downtown corridor is now a California Cultural District.
Posted inCity Hall
The Ken Houston middle finger seen ‘round the world
An Oakland councilmember’s in-your-face approach to politics has turned into a national story.
Posted inHealth & Environment
Sunken boats will get pulled from Oakland estuary
The City Council approved a $1.5 million contract for vessel removal, part of a big estuary clean-up effort supported by a federal grant.
Posted inPublic Safety
Oakland approves $2M surveillance camera plan
The vote on Flock’s license plate readers capped months of whiplash, tensions, a 10-minute video, and discourse over a maybe-middle finger.
Posted inArts & Community
Oakland’s gay, lesbian, bi, and trans elders are still fighting for their rights — and partying
Lavender Seniors celebrated its 30th anniversary at a complex time for the queer community.
Posted inPublic Safety
The Flock surveillance camera debate isn’t dead: City Council will vote
OPD wants Flock to keep operating hundreds of license plate readers across Oakland. Privacy advocates say the data can too easily fall into the wrong hands.
Posted inCity Hall
Sheng Thao joins motion to toss evidence from Oakland FBI raids
In new court filings, Thao, her partner Andre Jones, and businessman Andy Duong accuse the feds of omitting a key informant’s history of alleged deceit and racial bias.
Posted inBusiness
West Oakland Costco plan inches forward, to enthusiasm and dismay
Councilmembers signaled early support for bringing the bulk goods store to the old Army base, while some residents pushed back.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Getting a permit to build in Oakland has been hellish. Will sweeping new reforms work?
Expanded hours, same-day permits, and easier applications could help tackle communication voids and excruciating delays.
Posted inCity Hall
Labor union pledges $200,000 for possible Oakland tax measure
Details aren’t clear yet, but SEIU 1021 is giving an early boost to a potential revenue-raising ballot measure for 2026.
Posted inCity Hall
Oakland hires new top official for economic development and technology
Santa Clara official Chuck Baker has an extensive background in the private sector.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Oakland homeless camp policy tabled again — but debate rages on
Councilmember Ken Houston’s controversial plan to loosen limits on Oakland encampment sweeps was pulled at the last minute after a state agency raised concerns.
Posted inCity Hall
The FBI’s Oakland corruption case relies heavily on the word of one man with a ‘checkered past’
Mario Juarez appears to be “Co-conspirator 1,” a key informant in the federal criminal case against Sheng Thao. For decades he’s been at the center of bitter legal disputes — and the subject of criminal investigations — all while maintaining high-level political connections.
Posted inNature and the City
East Bay regional parks are free on ‘Green Friday’ after Thanksgiving
The East Bay Regional Park District is waiving fees and organizing group hikes.
Posted inBusiness
Small businesses could get a big tax break under Oakland plan
Three city officials are promoting a ballot measure that would also temporarily cut taxes for new Oakland businesses of any size.
Posted inBusiness
Is Costco coming to Oakland?
The city wants to negotiate with Costco and a developer to bring the big box store to the former Oakland Army Base.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Fruitvale renters sue landlord over immigration threats, eviction attempts
The East Oakland tenants claim Darrick Chavis bought their buildings earlier this year and immediately tried to push them out illegally.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Shelter for survivors of violence and trafficking opens at old Lake Merritt Lodge
Restorative Pathways took over the regal property this year and plans to house 120 people at a time.
