Workshop Summary

This workshop will explore the post SB4 landscape and address the particular benefits and challenges of small site developments on faith based owned land. Learn about the contextual issues of working with faith based organizations as it relates to legislative advantages and funding disadvantages. Hear about innovative approaches that are less expensive and more efficient in getting housing built. We will also explore how to support this newly tapped resource of building on congregational land.

Speakers

Moderator- Rev. Dr. Marlyn Bussey

St James CDC, Founder and President

Rev. Dr. Marlyn Bussey is the Pastor of St. James African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Zion Church, Co-Director of the Peninsula Solidarity Cohort and Founder and Executive Director of the St. James Community Development Corporation. Dr. Busseys’ passion for providing affordable housing began years ago when she was a high school counselor. Working with foster youth aging out of the system created a burden in her heart that these young people needed a helping hand to reach a successful, sustainable future. New Beginnings Residential Village is the collective response of Dr. Bussey and the St. James congregation.

Taryn Sandulyak

Firm Foundation Community Housing, Co-Founder & Executive Director

Prior to co-founding FFCH, Taryn spent 3 years working in the Development Services Division for the City of Hayward. During that time, she met numerous Hayward residents and saw firsthand the need for housing and services that enable our neighbors to flourish. Through this experience and her previous experience managing a small business in Castro Valley, CA, she became passionate about serving her community and bringing housing to all. In addition to her work at FFCH, Taryn volunteers with East Bay Orphan Care and First Presbyterian Church of Hayward. She lives in Hayward, CA with her partner and beautiful daughter.

Rev. Dr. Penny Nixon

HLC, Faith Director; Peninsula Solidarity Cohort, Co-Director

 Penny Nixon served as the Senior Minister of the Congregational Church of San Mateo (CCSM) from 2007 – 2022 and was honored with the title of Minister Emerita upon her retirement from pastoral ministry. She was the first woman to hold that position and with her leadership CCSM thrived as a vibrant, progressive spiritual community, became known for its work in social justice, received the MLK award from the county of San Mateo and became a sanctuary church. She also served as the pastor of an LGBTQ church in San Francisco for 12 years. A community leader and political activist, she has received numerous awards and recognitions for her work in both San Francisco and San Mateo, the most recent being named 2019 Woman of the Year for Assembly District 22. She also is the founder and co-director of the Peninsula Solidarity Cohort, a group of 40 interfaith clergy engaged in addressing the most pressing social needs in San Mateo County. Currently, Penny works as the Faith Director with the Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo and as the Faith Communities Housing Liaison for the County of San Mateo. 

Rev. Michael Eubanks-Kim

Bethel Presbyterian Church, Co-Minister

Michael Kim-Eubanks is a co-minister at Bethel Community Presbyterian Church in San Leandro, CA, a faith community that has been engaged in the local unhoused community for more than a decade, including involvement in the Interfaith Homelessness Network of San Leandro and the establishment of the San Leandro Community Food Pantry. Michael is also a musician, songwriter and the co-creator of The Lament Project, an interactive art-based exploration of faith and racial injustice. Michael is co-minister of Bethel Community alongside his wife, Erina, and they have two children, Amara and Jarena.