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Press Release: Sit-in at Berkeley Redwood Gardens (Update)
It is unusual to see octogenarians, wheelchair confined people, all extremely low income, stage a sit-in against the administrators of the only housing available to them.
The senior and disabled residents at Redwood Gardens in Berkeley are being treated in a manner that borders on abuse but certainly falls into the category of violation of quality of life, disruption of the peace and quiet of living quarters, invasion of privacy, immanent danger to health and safety, as well as intimidation and disrespect. The residents understand the risks to their security but have been pushed to the point of taking the risk of fighting back against corporate power.
This HUD housing facility is owned and managed by CSI Cooperative Corporation and their affiliate Redwood Gardens. Since the corporation assumed management of this facility they have set about making changes to completely remodel the facility, not only with negligible benefits to the residents, but with adverse effects upon us.
We are mobilizing to protect ourselves against the continued assault against our persons, homes, peace of mind, and safety.
- While we have a functioning and adequate laundry room the corporate management has decided to install another one on the 3rd floor of this residential facility. A much disputed laundry room is planned for the 3rd floor of the building. The residents object to this on the grounds that previous experience with the existing laundry, which has the advantage of being built on concrete, thus more safe, but has experienced floods, fire, sleep disturbing after hours noise, and vibration from malfunctioning machines. A laundry on a higher floor adjacent to residents apartments, with heavy equipment, is a potential danger in the event of an earthquake; is inappropriate when washing machines are predictably subject to flooding and consequent inundation of apartments beneath, black mold (one of the most potent forms of neuro-toxins) would be the consequence; as well as continuous disturbance of noise and vibration, and chemical pollution in the living areas.
- KTVU Channel 2 covered the story on the 8am news on Oct. 14.
- Daily Cal covered the sit-in on Oct. 13: http://www.dailycal.org/2014/10/13/senior-citizens-gather-protest-management-housing-complex/.
http://www.berkeleyside.com/2014/10/09/at-berkeley-senior-home-concern-over-a-beloved-garden/
Other issues and concerns:
- We were told that complete kitchen and bath remodeling will be made but no time frame for rebuilding has been given. We are being forced to move everything out of our kitchens. The apartments are very small and there is no space to store possessions out of the way. To ask residents to do this work, all of us are of advanced age or disability with limited income, amounts to inappropriate demands.
- Notice of all of the so-called "improvements" of changes came down as fiat and, while CSI has received over $3,300,000 to renovate the building, some of which should go for labor to accomplish apartment renovation, the residents are commanded, upon danger of eviction, used as slave labor to accomplish the corporate purpose of CSI. Additionally, we are then insulted with patronizing letters telling us that "it is all for our good" and any deviation from the plan must be supported by a letter from the doctor. All their demands have been unreasonable.
- Access to the door of the north parking lot has been blocked with a series of concrete posts. Several levels of danger are possible. Safety is at risk in any of these possible situations. First responders: fire trucks, para-transit vans, cars picking up or dropping off seniors will entangle. Recycling area in that area was rebuilt with a surrounding redwood fence which would be lovely except for the fact that it is so designed that fewer recycle bins than previously are situated in the space and cannot accommodate the material. The trash was spilling out the second day after it was installed. Rats do not respect "keep out" signs!
