Who Cares?

Who cares about an African-American, South Berkeley resident being able to keep his home of over 45 years?  His neighbors who have come to court to support him. Friends of Adeline who have raised the alarm about the attack in their community.  Thousands of ordinary people from all over the country who have sent their small donations to help Leonard Powell keep his house.

Unfortunately, the courts do not care, with the sixth judge, who has been overseeing this case, continuing to refuse to rule that Mr. Powell should get his home back.  No judge has been watching closely enough to keep all the predators from trying to take money from Mr. Powell.

Even Habitat for Humanity, the large organization that has cooperated with the City of Berkeley so that they can get the local CDBG money that has been going to South Berkeley based Rebuilding Together for housing rehabilitation.  While Habitat said that they worked on the Harmon St. house because they “felt our community-based model would be a good fit with the goal of keeping Mr. Powell in his home in

For more information contact – friendsofadeline@gmail.com – (510)338-7843

safe and sanitary conditions” they somehow participated in the increasing of costs from $300,000 to $780,000.  Did they care?

Why hasn’t the City of Berkeley cared about one of its own longtime residents?  Inspectors signed off on the completed work in September of 2018. Today, 6 months later, the “new” exterior paint is peeling off the more than $700,000 remodel.  The “new” space heaters are inefficient, dangerous for children and take up much space. The downstairs kitchen cabinetry is unfinished. How come?

The Bay Area Receivership Group, Gerard Keena, has charged Mr. Powell over $30,000 in the last few months after the job was completed.  While blocking an agreement to allow Mr. Powell to return to his home they continue to charge him to store his property and to pay for their legal fight against Mr. Powell.  Is this caring? Or is it Senior Abuse?

This all must stop now.