Homeless mom reunited with her towed car in Oakland

Jade Burnett and Rev. Ken Chambers exchanged a tearful hug outside of Fat Cat Tires near the Oakland Flea Market on Monday, celebrating Burnett’s reunion with her car, which doubles as her home.

Burnett said she lives in her 2008 Pontiac Vibe with her 17-year-old autistic son and her nine-year-old daughter, but on Feb. 25, it was towed from 39th Street in Oakland.

Burnett told KTVU she left the vehicle there after a women’s shelter in Berkeley placed her and her kids in a motel in Pinole for a couple of days to keep them safe during winter storms.

An Oakland Police Department spokesperson said the car was towed because it had an expired registration.

Homeless mom's car towed in Oakland

As city council leaders and community members cheer new legislation that helps crews more swiftly remove abandoned cars off Oakland streets, one homeless mother's story sheds light on another facet of the issue.

A Pastor's fight to keep coal out of Oakland

After hearing concerns like Sistah To’s from so many people, Reverend Chambers founded his own group, the Interfaith Council of Alameda County, organized around stopping the coal plan. In 2016, working with youth and environmental activists, they started lobbying the City. And their efforts paid off: that year, the City Council voted unanimously to ban coal's storage and handling in Oakland. But Tagami sued in return. He asked a federal judge to overturn the City’s ban, specifically for his coal terminal.

Local Pastors and Elected Officials Save North Oakland Missionary Baptist Church

The plea to save a 118-year-old historic church was answered when local pastors and the offices of elected officials joined together on Monday morning February 6, outside of the North Oakland Missionary Baptist Church.

With donations from the pastors and interventions from elected officials the future of NOMBC is no longer in question.

Making It in the Bay: The Reality of Living in Vehicles

A sobering fact when it comes to making it in the Bay Area: People living in vehicles is a reality nearly 10,000 people wake up to each and every day, according to recent census data.

Alameda County has the highest number of people living in their cars or RVs at more than 2,800. Most park on the streets and hope no one will bother them. 

If they’re fortunate, they’re accepted into the city of Oakland's Safe Car Parking program at Westside Missionary Baptist Church, where the homeless can stay in their vehicles overnight in a lot that is well lit, fenced and patrolled by security.

Read the full story on NBC Bay Area.