Berkeley TOPA Timeline

Since 2015 - Tenants rights groups, community law centers, and land trusts began exploring TOPA as an anti-displacement strategy locally and regionally, using Washington D.C.’s TOPA and other similar policies as models.

Starting in 2019 -The East Bay Community Law Center (EBCLC), Northern California Land Trust, and Bay Area Community Land Trust worked closely with Mayor Jesse Arreguin, and consulted with tenants, tenant advocates, lending institutions, real estate brokers and others, to develop a TOPA policy tailored for Berkeley – one that stays true to Berkeley’s vision of democratic, community controlled affordable housing.

Early 2020 - The City of Berkeley and EBCLC are awarded a Partnership for the Bay’s Future Challenge Grant to support implementation of TOPA.

February 20, 2020 – Mayor Arreguin announced TOPA at a Southwest Berkley property where tenants had partnered with a community land trust to purchase their homes and keep them permanently affordable.

March 5, 2020 – TOPA was presented to the Land Use, Housing and Economic Development Committee followed by public comment and initial discussion/questions by committee members. See detailed background information and legislation here, as well as the presentation.

January 27, 2021 - Community Forum on Berkeley’s TOPA Proposal - Preventing Displacement & Creating Homeownership Opportunity - see YouTube video here.

March 18, April 26, May 6 & May 20, 2021 - TOPA was reintroduced and discussed at the Land Use and Economic Development Committee on March 18, April 26, and May 6. TOPA was voted out of the committee on May 20th - see the bottom of this webpage for agendas and corresponding documents for all of these meetings.

January 27, 2022 - An updated version of TOPA will be discussed at Work Session of the Berkeley City Council - see agenda for Jan 27 meeting here.

Stay tuned for future events and public meetings, and visit the Take Action webpage!