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Opening Keynote

Elizabeth Kneebone, Research Director

Terner Center for Housing Innovation

Elizabeth’s research expertise includes trends and dynamics in the geographic concentration and distribution of poverty in the United States, and how the built environment, housing, and land use policies shape access to economic opportunity. Before joining the Terner Center, Elizabeth spent 11 years at the Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program, where most recently she led the Program’s work on regional housing solutions to increase and diversify housing options in higher opportunity and priority redevelopment areas. She also has researched and written extensively on urban and suburban poverty, and is co-author of the book Confronting Suburban Poverty in America. She remains affiliated with Brookings as a Non-Resident Senior Fellow.

Panels:

The heart of the housing crisis

Local residents share stories about their struggles and successes in finding housing they can afford, and offer insights on what solutions they’d like to see in their communities.

Speakers: Stephanie Sequeira (Richmond resident), Ella Jones (San Pablo resident), and Raphael Woods (Pleasant Hill resident)

Moderator: Zuleika Godinez, Ensuring Opportunity

What role do housing bonds play in solving the housing crisis?

Housing bonds are in increasingly common tool to create dedicated funding for affordable housing. What can we learn from other Bay Area counties’ housing bond measures? How will our local communities benefit if the November 2018 statewide housing bond ballot measure passes?

Speakers: Kara Douglas (Contra Costa Dept. of Conservation and Development), Nikki Beasley (East Bay Neighborhood Services), Gloria Bruce (East Bay Housing Organizations), and Josh Huber (East Bay Leadership Council)

Moderator: Amie Fishman, Nonprofit Housing Association of Northern California (NPH)

What’s working? Promising local strategies for creating communities where everyone has a home

Local cities are exploring innovative ways to expand the supply of housing that is affordable to residents, to protect tenants from unjust rent increases and evictions, and to preserve the supply of low-cost housing units. You’ll be inspired by the promising strategies being used here in our own communities.

Speakers: Melvin Willis (Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment); Annette Balter (Episcopal Senior Communities); Rachele Trigueros (Bay Area Council)

Moderator: Mia Carbajal, East Bay Housing Organizations

What is happening at the state and federal level that will impact the local housing crisis?

The federal government appears intent on reducing funding for affordable housing. In California, in contrast, the Governor signed a strong package of housing bills in 2017, and several promising bills are being introduced this year. Learn how you can support another year of strong housing legislation.

Speaker: Amie Fishman, Nonprofit Housing Association of Northern California (NPH)

Fireside Chat on Health, Housing and Equity

How does housing fit within the broader arena of community health? What is the link between being safely and affordably housed and achieving overall community well-being? Learn why access to affordable housing is an essential requirement for creating truly equitable communities.

Speakers: Melissa Jones (BARHII); Lavonna Martin (Health, Housing, and Homeless Services, Contra Costa County); Tony Samara (Urban Habitat)