Avery Arbaugh

Avery Arbaugh is a formerly homeless tenant and corporate-free progressive community organizer with a long history of fighting for workers, tenants, and climate justice. Avery is willing to fight for a future to believe in, even when it conflicts with the wealthy and the powerful. As President of the Cal Berkeley Democrats, Avery picketed with UAW student workers standing up for a fair contract that took into account the cost of housing in Berkeley, advocated for affordable housing and against the displacement of low-income tenants, and has helped write legislation passed by the Berkeley City Council expanding democratic access to policy-making. As a Labor Commissioner for the City of Berkeley, Avery has monitored the implementation of pro-worker city policies and fought for workers facing unfair labor practices and bad-faith contract negotiations. As a member of the Berkeley Rent Board, Avery will use this administrative experience to fight for strong rent control and institutional protections for tenants. Avery strongly believes that the affordability crisis facing non-rent-controlled tenants and the vicious attacks against the preservation of rent-controlled units are urgent issues that must be addressed through the repeal of Costa-Hawkins and the protection of rent-controlled and other affordable units in Berkeley. In addition, Avery believes that the attacks by corporate landlords and large property owners on the independence of the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board, and other attempts to weaken the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Ordinance must be vocally opposed by progressive leaders and Rent Board Commissioners.