Social Housing in My Backyard

Workshop Summary

Just a few years ago, social housing seemed like a fringe idea. Earlier this year, Assemblymember Alex Lee’s Social Housing Bill (AB309) passed the assembly with supermajority support. In California, 2 in 5 households spend 30% or more of their income on housing, and 1 in 5 spend over 50% of their income. Successful social housing models exist all across the globe, such as in Hong Kong and Vienna, with average rent being between 4-8% of a household’s income. This panel will explore what exactly social housing is, why it makes sense for the housing crisis we are in, and how it can be a reality in California and San Mateo County.

 

Moderator and Panelists

Moderator – James Coleman

Council Member, City of South San Francisco

James Coleman currently serves on the South San Francisco City Council, and was elected in 2020 as the city’s youngest ever and first openly LGBTQ+ council member in the city’s history. James believes that housing is a basic right, and to meet that vision local government needs to have a direct role in producing the affordable housing we need. On the city council, James led the passage of South San Francisco’s Measure AA, authorizing the city of SSF to build or acquire social housing. In the next 15 years, South San Francisco is projected to receive over $125 million in commercial linkage fees to be used for affordable and social housing. And last month, SSF was awarded a pro-housing designation from Governor Gavin Newsom. James Coleman also serves on the boards of the San Mateo County Housing Endowment and Regional Trust (HEART), HOPE (Housing Our People Effectively) Interagency Council, and Peninsula Clean Energy.

Panelist – Alex Lee

CA State Assembly Member

Alex Lee (李天明) represents California’s 24th Assembly District, which includes the
Alameda County communities of Fremont, Newark, and Sunol, as well as the Santa
Clara County communities of Milpitas and San Jose. Assemblymember Lee was elected in 2020 and became the youngest Asian American legislator ever elected and first openly bisexual state legislator in California history. He is also the first California legislator to introduce social housing legislation in 2021, with the vision of providing housing as a human right for all Californians. He has authored 3 social housing bills, and this year AB 309 passed the State Legislature and
is currently on the Governor’s desk. He serves as Chair of the Select Committee on
Social Housing, where legislators consult subject matter experts and advocates to
explore different models of social housing.

Panelist – Monica Strauch

Policy Manager, United Way Bay Area

Monica Strauch (she/her) is a Public Policy Manager at United Way Bay Area, working with community-based organizations, civic leaders, and elected officials to build a more equitable Bay Area.  She leads the organization’s public policy efforts in the North Bay, advocating for policies that support our neighbors most impacted by poverty in an increasingly unaffordable region.  In her previous roles, Monica has worked on several successful campaigns to increase access to and funding for homeless services and affordable housing in the Bay Area and Los Angeles, including her work at United Way of Greater Los Angeles and with the Our Future Los Angeles coalition to pass the state legislation that created the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency (LACAHSA).  She believes that housing is a human right and that with innovative approaches, human-centered policies, and a strong public will, housing for all is possible.