June 28, 2007
Gaia Building, 2116 Allston Way, Berkeley

FOCUS on Bay Area Housing was a forum for local governments, non-profit housing builders, and for profit developers to share proven strategies to create affordable housing in the Bay Area.

The conference keynote speaker was Carol Galante of Bridge Housing. Institute for Local Governments Climate Change/Land Use and Housing Program Director Steve Sanders moderated a panel of local governments and developers on overcoming challenges to building affordable housing. ABAG staff also presented the Regional Housing Needs methodology and participated in a conversation with State Housing and Community Development staff as well as local leaders on state and regional housing policy objectives.

Welcome Tom Bates, Mayor, City of Berkeley Keynote Speaker Carol Galante, President, BRIDGE Housing Corporation A Place to Call Home 2007 Gillian Adams, ABAG Regional Planner, will present major findings from ABAG's housing report including the Regional Housing Needs Allocation methodology. Regional Housing Needs: State Law, Regional Needs, & Local Challenges Panelists will discuss state housing policy, the regional policy rationale behind the RHNA methodology, and local challenges meeting state and regional housing policy objectives. Best Practices Developing Affordable Housing Programs Panelists will discuss their strategies for collaboration in building affordable housing. They will offer tried and true methods for overcoming community resistance and other obstacles. FOCUS on Bay Area Housing Ken Kirkey, ABAG Planning Director, will provide an overview of the FOCUS effort and why housing is central to its success.

Detailed Agenda

Speaker Bios

Workshop Proceedings