Protecting Communities: Lessons Learned from Silicon Valley
Wednesday, September 19th 2012  6:00pm
Oakland, 

http://www.urbanhabitat.org

During the current economic crisis, cities everywhere are courting development to create jobs for their residents and to support struggling local economies. But at what cost is it acceptable to allow companies to move into our communities if they are not providing their fair share of local tax dollars, jobs to local residents, and affordable housing to their workers? For the first panel of the Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute’s Issues and Advocates Speakers Series, we'll hear from experts about the impacts of Silicon Valley’s job growth on affordable housing, transit, and the environment, and consider what this growth means for low-income communities and communities of color. In this panel, you’ll learn how a coalition of local community-based and regional organizations and a non-profit civil rights law firm worked together to gain community benefits from a large corporation that was planning the development of their new headquarters. Join us as our expert panelists share strategies to build community power to influence development processes in order to ensure that companies provide tangible benefits to low-income communities and communities of color, such as affordable housing, local jobs, and reliable public transportation. Participation in this event will be useful for a variety of stakeholders, including housing advocates, funders interested in supporting affordable housing and equitable development, elected officials, commissioners and staff, and those interested in specific issues such as community benefit agreements, transit-oriented development, and general plans. Seating is limited and registration is required, so please RSVP early. Confirmed Speakers -- Annie Loya, Executive Director, Youth United for Community Action (YUCA) -- Richard Marcantonio, Managing Attorney, Public Advocates, Inc. -- Vu-Bang Nguyen, Land Use Program Coordinator, Urban Habitat -- Evelyn Stivers, Field Director, Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California (NPH)

Location:
East Bay Community Foundation
Frank Ogawa Plaza
Oakland, 
94612