Berkeley, California · Est. 2024 · 501(c)(3)
We are the unhoused — a membership union organizing for dignity, housing, and civil rights in Berkeley. Not a charity. A union.
About Us
"The goal is really to uplift the voices of unhoused people and their experiences and to bargain for fair treatment. As a union, there is power in numbers."
— Yesica Prado, Co-Founder
The Berkeley Homeless Union was founded in July 2024 by Yesica Prado and Gordon Gilmore in direct response to the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, which gave cities the green light to criminalize homelessness even when no shelter exists.
We are a membership organization of people who are or have been unhoused. As a union, we hold legal standing to file lawsuits, submit ADA accommodation requests, and negotiate with the city — without waiting for a nonprofit to act on our behalf.
We conduct on-the-ground outreach across Berkeley's encampments, going from RV to tent, building collective power one member at a time.
Legal Standing
As a membership union, we can file federal lawsuits and ADA accommodation requests directly on behalf of our members — giving unhoused people direct power in court.
Mutual Aid
We run on-the-ground outreach across Berkeley's encampments, connecting residents with support and building collective power community by community.
Political Accountability
We engage Berkeley officials, candidates, and the public — demanding the city live up to its progressive values and treat all residents with dignity.
Documented Sweep Sites
Since the Grants Pass ruling, Berkeley has swept encampments across the city — often without shelter offers and in violation of residents' rights. Click each pin to read what happened.
Sources: Berkeleyside, Berkeley Scanner, Daily Californian, court filings. Map compiled from news coverage 2024–2026. Some dates approximate.
Federal Lawsuit
In February 2025, the Berkeley Homeless Union became one of the first homeless-led unions in California to file a federal civil rights lawsuit challenging encampment sweeps on 14th Amendment due process and ADA grounds.
Case Name
Berkeley Homeless Union et al. v. City of Berkeley et al.
Court
U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
Case Number
25-cv-01414 · 4:25-cv-04449
Presiding Judge
Hon. Edward M. Chen
Legal Claims
14th Amendment Due Process · ADA Reasonable Accommodation
Status
⚡ Active — Ongoing Litigation (2026)
The Supreme Court rules cities may enforce anti-camping ordinances even without available shelter — removing a key legal shield for unhoused people nationwide.
Yesica Prado and Gordon Gilmore found the BHU as a direct response, giving the unhoused community legal standing to fight back as a collective.
In an 8-1 vote, Berkeley removes the requirement to provide shelter or housing before clearing encampments. BHU sends a formal legal threat letter to the Council.
Berkeley clears encampments at Old City Hall, Ohlone Park, Berkeley Corporation Yard, and 4th & Bancroft — several without offering any shelter alternative.
BHU files in the Northern District of California to block the Harrison Corridor sweep. Raises state-created danger (14th Amendment) and ADA reasonable accommodation claims for 31 disabled residents.
Judge Chen blocks Berkeley from clearing the Harrison encampment while the case proceeds. A major early win establishing the court's willingness to protect unhoused residents.
Judge Chen rules Berkeley may clear the broader encampment, but residents with disabilities and their property must be permitted to stay as a required ADA accommodation — a landmark ruling for disability rights in homelessness law.
A settlement judge declares "a complete breakdown in settlement discussions" and returns the case to Judge Chen. BHU continues pressing for full injunctive relief.
The case remains active in federal court. BHU continues pursuing systemic protections for all unhoused Berkeley residents. This fight is not over.
Press & Coverage
Co-founders Yesica Prado and Gordon Gilmore establish the union in response to the Supreme Court's Grants Pass ruling — giving the unhoused community direct legal standing.
Read more →After Berkeley passed its sweeping resolution, BHU sent a formal legal threat letter to City Council — setting the stage for the federal lawsuit.
Read more →BHU files suit in federal court to stop the Harrison Corridor sweep, raising 14th Amendment due process and ADA claims for 47 residents — 31 with disabilities.
Read more →BHU attorneys argue the city's sweep policies constitute a state-created danger and violate the ADA — a novel and potentially precedent-setting legal strategy.
Read more →A landmark ruling: Judge Chen finds that residents with disabilities must be permitted to remain as a required ADA reasonable accommodation — a major BHU victory.
Read more →A federal judge allows partial clearing of the Harrison Street corridor while the broader ADA litigation continues, with protected individuals remaining on-site.
Read more →Upcoming
Our power comes from showing up — to meetings, marches, court hearings, and each other.
General Meeting
Open meeting for all members and supporters. Court case updates, upcoming actions, and membership onboarding. All welcome.
Workshop
Learn how to file ADA accommodation requests, what to do during a sweep, and how to document civil rights violations. Free and open to all.
Direct Action
March with us for real housing solutions and an end to the criminalization of homelessness. Bring friends, make signs, show up.
Court Support
Show up to the next federal hearing in BHU v. City of Berkeley. Your presence matters. Follow our Instagram for confirmed courtroom details.
* Dates shown are placeholders — confirm via @berkeley.homeless.union on Instagram.
Take Action
Housing is a human right. Whether you're currently unhoused, formerly unhoused, or a community member who gives a damn — there's a role for you.
If you are or have been unhoused in Berkeley, become a member. Your membership gives BHU direct legal standing to fight on your behalf in court.
Become a Member →Federal litigation costs money. Every dollar supports our attorneys and helps us keep fighting for the rights of unhoused Berkeley residents.
Donate →We need help with street outreach, court support, media documentation, and mutual aid coordination. No special skills required — just show up.
Get In Touch →Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, share our posts, and tell your network. Public attention is part of how we win.
Follow on Instagram →