Vulnerable Homeowners Exploitation Referral

At a glance

What: A Commission on the Status of Women recommendation that the City draft written and visual materials for older and minority homeowners vulnerable to exploitation by realtors, appraisers, lenders and speculators, distribute them through senior centers, community organizations, medical providers and faith-based organizations, and offer them in other languages spoken in Berkeley.
Where it stands: On May 12, 2026 Council, on the Consent Calendar, approved the policy committee's recommendation to refer the item to the Commission on Aging for further development.
Next: The Commission on Aging researches existing models and templates and considers a regional approach to design and distribution. The original request asked for materials and distribution locations within 6 months.

Item 15a, from the Commission on the Status of Women (contact Okeya Vance-Dozier, Commission Secretary), reviewed by the Land Use, Housing and Economic Development Committee. The committee sent it to Council with a qualified positive recommendation to refer the items to the Commission on Aging.
Item 15b, the City Manager's companion report (contact Scott Gilman), supports the committee's recommendation. Action: approved as recommended by the committee; item 15a took the same action.
Both adopted with the Consent Calendar (Tregub/Humbert), all ayes.

Referred to the Commission on Aging on consent, per the policy committee's qualified positive recommendation.