Jesse Arreguín: A Proven, Progressive Problem-Solver With a Real Record of Results

Mayor Jesse Arreguín has spent his life fighting for our shared values and getting results. As the two term mayor of Berkeley and president of our regional government body, the Association of Bay Area Governments, Jesse has effectively championed efforts to create affordable housing, reduce homelessness, raise the minimum wage, reduce crime, and keep his community safe.

MAKING NEIGHBORHOODS SAFER BY INVESTING IN VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND HIRING MORE COMMUNITY POLICE OFFICERS

Fought to fully staff his police department, hiring more community police officers who live in the communities they serve–to enhance community trust and public safety.
Addressed root causes of crime by championing investments in violence prevention like the anti-gang violence Ceasefire program.
Fought gun violence by banning untraceable ghost guns in his city.
Passed historic reforms to shift responses to mental health emergencies and homelessness from police to trained social workers, to enable police to focus on violent and property crime–advancing criminal justice reform while keeping people safe.
Increased police oversight by creating an independent civilian police commission.
Worked to expand restorative justice programs to divert youth and non-violent people from the criminal justice system and reduce racial disparities in policing.

REDUCING HOMELESSNESS BY MOVING PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS AND INTO SERVICES AND HOUSING

Took bold, compassionate action to reduce homelessness in Berkeley, launching new mental health and drug treatment services and providing emergency shelters and long-term permanent housing, which resulted in a decrease in homelessness in Berkeley over two years, while homelessness increased countywide by 22 percent over the same time period.
Built the East Bay’s first low-barrier, 24/7 shelter and navigation center, which provides job assistance, mental health and substance abuse treatments, social services, and housing support. The shelter has helped move hundreds of people from the streets to permanent housing.
Established the Alameda County Mayors Working Group on Homelessness, to improve coordination on future plans and funding to reduce homelessness regionally.
Helped secure unprecedented funding for critical programs to prevent displacement, including emergency housing assistance, rent subsidies, flexible housing funds, and legal defense, to keep people on the verge of homelessness from losing their homes.

FIGHTING FOR WORKING FAMILIES BY DELIVERING AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE

Helped raise the minimum wage in his city, fought for equal pay for women, and championed a higher standard of living for working families.
Jesse is leading the East Bay in addressing the housing affordability crisis, building more new housing in Berkeley than the city has seen in decades and approving 1,000 new affordable homes for working families, students, teachers, seniors, veterans, and the disabled.
Led his city in building its largest ever affordable housing development and making its biggest ever investment in tenant protections, keeping hundreds of renters in their homes.
Led creation of a plan to build more than 440,000 new homes in the Bay Area in his role as president of the Association of Bay Area Governments, the Bay Area’s regional government.
Helped end exclusionary zoning in Berkeley, to bring more dense, infill, and affordable housing to meet unprecedented demand.
Led his city through COVID, creating one of the Bay Area’s strongest eviction moratoriums, and launched a Relief Fund that raised millions to support struggling tenants, businesses, and artists.
Established a universal eviction defense program, making Berkeley the first city in the county to do so.
Secured an agreement with Bayer that will bring 1,000 new jobs to the region, and which committed the company to providing millions for public education and affordable housing.

COMBATING CLIMATE CHANGE THROUGH GROUNDBREAKING ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP

Created a national model for reducing the impacts of climate change that’s being followed by other cities across America, by phasing out throw-away plastics, banning natural gas in new buildings, and improving local air quality.
Led efforts to create a regional climate plan for the 9 county Bay Area in his role as president of the Association of Bay Area Governments, to ensure our communities are climate resilient.
Helped bring 100 percent renewable energy options to his city at affordable prices.
Made his city’s largest ever investment in wildfire prevention, including funding for vegetation management, reducing fire fuels, evacuation education and preparedness.

FIGHTING AGAINST HATE GROUPS AND STANDING UP FOR INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES

Launched the Berkeley Stands United Against Hate campaign after white supremacists–emboldened by Trump–marched in Berkeley streets. The campaign quickly spread around the region (you may have seen the signs). Today, more than 200 communities, faith-based groups, LGBTQ+, and human rights organizations across America have joined the cause.
Defended our immigrant communities during the Trump years by reaffirming Berkeley’s sanctuary status.
Stood up to Trump by divesting City funds from corporations involved in Trump’s “wall.”

FIGHTING TO PROTECT OUR HEALTH AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

Made Berkeley a sanctuary city for women’s reproductive health and gender-affirming care.
Has led the fight to keep Alta Bates Hospital open and reduce health disparities in his city.
Helped ensure construction contractors provide healthcare coverage to their workers.
Strongly promoted vaccination efforts during COVID, with a focus on underserved communities, helping Berkeley reach one of the highest vaccination rates in America.

IMPROVING PUBLIC EDUCATION

Helped safely re-open his city’s schools after the height of the pandemic.
Launched the Berkeley Promise, a scholarship program for low-income students, to narrow the city’s education opportunity gap.
Negotiated an historic agreement with UC Berkeley to build more student housing.

PROTECTING AND RETAINING SMALL BUSINESSES AND ENSURING FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

Streamlined the permitting process, making it easier to open a small business in Berkeley.
Expanded loans and tax incentives to help businesses stay in the city and thrive.
Helped close an unprecedented city budget deficit, resulting from COVID, while preserving investments in streets, parks, and infrastructure.
Established Berkeley’s rainy day fund, which helped shore up the City budget during COVID and ensure long term fiscal sustainability.