Video of Homeless Camp Near UC Berkeley Housing Sparks Safety Outcry from Parents and Businesses

A video posted on X by longtime ABC7 reporter Lyanne Melendez captured a homeless encampment visible while she was dropping her son off at University Village, a university-owned complex in Albany near the UC Berkeley campus. Melendez’s post called out the cities of Berkeley and Albany and the university administration, noting the encampment’s proximity to student housing. A UC Berkeley spokesperson clarified that the camp lies outside university jurisdiction and directed inquiries to the City of Berkeley.

Students, including senior John Paul Leon, said encountering unhoused people is a routine part of campus life, though it can unsettle visiting families. Local entrepreneurs such as Boichik Bagels founder Emily Winston and Fieldwork Brewing Co. co-founder Barry Braden described feces, needles and blocked sidewalks, reporting reduced foot traffic and safety worries, and have joined a 2024 lawsuit against the city. City officials responded that they are complying with court orders and have filed extensive documentation on the encampments, though they claim their hands are tied by ongoing litigation.