UC Berkeley is being accused of exacerbating homelessness in its community. Save Berkeley’s Neighborhood is suing the university, saying it’s not providing enough housing for students and it’s causing a ripple effect, creating cramped houses, higher prices, and forcing residents out. Now a judge has sided with the group and ordered Berkeley to pause its enrollment to levels based on the 2020-2021 school year. That means the institution might have to cut its incoming freshman class by a third — more than 5,000 fewer students might be offered a spot when letters are mailed out next month.
Homelessness crisis might push UC Berkeley to cut size of student body
Homeless encampments sit at Peoples Park, a historic site of political activism in Berkeley, California, Dec. 27, 2021. Photo by Shutterstock.
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- Frances Dinkelspiel - executive editor and co-founder of Berkeleyside