Deborah Matthews

I lived in Berkeley since the 80s. I began living here as a single mother, entrepreneur, and career community organizer. At that time, along with the backdrop of the breathtaking beauty of the Berkeley Bay shores, South Berkeley, the community that authored the Fair Housing Act of 1964, was struggling with disinvestment, drug dealing, and gun violence.

I knew something had to be done to protect our families, elders, and children, and I jumped in! For the past 30 years, I have worked with South Berkeley residents, Berkeley mayors, Berkeley councilmembers, several Berkeley Commissions, and local businesses to help deliver housing (Parker Place Housing Berkeley  (downtown), The Dwight Apartments (offering a rooftop produce garden), improve health care (Citisport Berkeley (fitness).  John Muir Health | UCSF Health Berkeley Outpatient (establishing medical services)  Berkeley Bowl West (ending the south and west side food desert) and  BioFuel Oasis (offering climate action fuel alternatives), and the construction of the Ed Robert's Campus (serving the needs of people with disabilities). Proudly, on July 16th, 2024, The Black Panther Housing Development was completed, delivering 79 units of 100% very low-income housing to formerly incarcerated men and women and their families, to name a few.
 

Despite our efforts, South Berkeley continues to be overlooked.
What does our community need to improve itself? I believe South Berkeley needs an advocate who keeps the needs of South Berkeley residents and businesses front and center in the council members' minds. I am the leader who will take action to support South Berkeley and not observe its continued decline in economic investment along our Adeline Corridor business district and public safety in our neighborhoods. We deserve to thrive! I have been that Advocate for 30 years and now want to up my leadership to serve as your Council Member. Let's welcome progress now; I am committed to delivering low-income and missing middle-income housing throughout Berkeley. This initiative will add to our housing stock and create opportunities for more affordable homes.

The Ashby Bart Housing Is Approved and Moves Forward!

Deborah Matthews's 10 years of housing leadership with South Berkeley Now! delivers Ashby Bart Housing in South Berkeley! Our voices have been heard! Thank you, South Berkeley Now! Membership, North Berkeley Now! Berkeley Housing and Neighbors for Climate Action, City of Berkeley, Bart, Councilmembers, Consultants, and BART Director Lateefah Simon for addressing the challenges and thoughtful collaboration to reach this milestone.

• Up to 1000 units of housing; 

• 50% of units and more to be affordable to low-income households;

• Adeline Street Two-Lane Option/Road Diet & protected bike-ways;

• A permanent home for the Berkeley Flea Market on Adeline Street;

• Community Benefits fund dedicated to South Berkeley;

• A connection to development to Adeline St at Ashby is required, and it will lessen the impact of the power station.

•  Plus, the opportunity for homeownership

​With the Ashby BART Housing Development Project in motion, I eagerly anticipate the positive changes it will bring to our community. From welcoming new residents to promoting economic vitality, increasing public safety, and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of our neighborhood, this project holds the promise of a brighter future for our city. 

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