Who's Who: Community Development Director Reaches Out to Bulb Residents

Name: Ann Chaney

Age: 63

Occupation: Community Development Director for the

What are your responsibilities? Well, I head up the areas of building and planning – we have a building and planning manager, but I oversee that – as well as transportation and environmental resources.

How long have you been here? Twelve years.

How did you get involved with local homeless people? I staff the . The waterfront area has a number of issues, and one is our . We’re trying to be proactive to assist them to find housing.

How did you meet ? I think that I must have met her when a couple, who were homeless and living on the Bulb, were accepted through the [city of Berkeley] “Shelter Plus Care” program, and she became their case manager.

One time, for example, they needed to meet with the landlord. and I participated together. I picked them up at the Bulb and took them to Goodwill or Salvation Army for clothes [beforehand]. Tonette found them a place; some of us here in the office helped to pull together some furnishings for them.

The little interaction we’ve had, I’ve been so impressed [with Tonette]. I wanted her to be part of an informational meeting with people at the Bulb last July and again two weeks ago, to get them information and to get them connected with various resource agencies and persons.

Which resources? It’s pretty much Berkeley – Berkeley Food and Housing Project, Berkeley Mental Health. Berkeley Mental Health would come out every once in a while and help people understand what was available to them.

In Shelter Plus Care, a landlord knows these people are monitored on a regular basis by the case manager.

Is there housing available in Albany? It’s something we haven’t pursued yet. Landlords may not know about the “Care” part of this program. [Tonette] is no-nonsense. Two things she says: “One, pay your rent on time, and two, don’t damage the landowner’s property.”

Would trailers, shared housing, or in-law units be options? We don’t have any trailers in town. The other two may be possible. I don’t know how many studios we have, and I don’t know enough about the cost side of things. The process is still new. We don’t have a Housing Department. It’s not something the city has ever been involved with before. This department takes on that responsibility.

What are other current issues in Community Development? [There’s] a Pierce Street repairing and bikeway project that’s slated for this summer. Our transportation planner is working on the – its non-motorized transportation. The environmental planner is working on implementing the .

How do you spend your free time? I like to bike and hike, when I have time.

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