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12h ago

Berkeley Begins Clearing Eighth and Harrison Encampment After Rat-Borne Outbreak

A federal judge cleared the abatement on the condition the city provide ADA-compliant relocation help while the operation includes rodent control and storage for belongings.

An aerial view of a homeless encampment along Harrison Street in Berkeley on Sept. 15, 2026.
Department of Public Works staff walk along Harrison Street during a homeless encampment cleanup in Berkeley on Sept. 15.
Elester Shelton, 47, removes items from his campsite during a homeless encampment cleanup on Harrison Street in Berkeley on Sept. 15.
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Overview

  • Police and city crews started removing tents and structures at Eighth and Harrison on Tuesday, clearing roughly one block by late afternoon and planning to continue the operation over subsequent days.
  • Berkeley moved after public-health officials linked a summer leptospirosis outbreak to rats, reporting two human infections that included one death and one hospitalization.
  • The federal court ruling permits the city to abate the site but requires staff to offer packing assistance and storage for residents with approved disability accommodations.
  • Hundreds of rats remain visible at the site and city officials say the cleanup will include demolition of hazardous structures and targeted rodent-abatement measures to reduce infection and fire risk.
  • The city is allowing people living in vehicles to stay in their cars, offering storage and relocation assistance for eligible residents, and warning that failure to comply with posted removal notices could lead to citations or arrest.