When addressing the housing crisis in the Bay Area, one thing is clear; we need to work together. Local governments, affordable housing developers, and CDFIs all must play a part in addressing what is quickly becoming the most significant challenge facing our Bay Area community. Those most essential to the fight are devoted advocates and community development leaders preparing to bridge these institutions and lead the fight against homelessness.
Since 1988, LISC Bay Area has been key to developing this talent as a Housing Development Training Institute (HDTI) sponsor, a comprehensive program creating a pipeline of skilled housing development leaders. To date, this program has seen over 460 participants representing community development organizations throughout the state and has been critical to supporting local housing leadership.
Today we highlight the influence of HDTI with our partner Eden Housing. Eden has worked in partnership with cities and local community partners to develop or acquire more than 10,600 homes in communities throughout California, currently serving a diverse population of 22,000 low-income residents from all cultures and backgrounds. Since their humble beginnings, more than 100,000 people have come home to an Eden community.
For this story, we connected with one of our 2023 cohort participants, and 2022-2023 Merritt Scholar, Associate Project Developer Obinna Uwakah (Obi). We asked Obi to reflect on his lived experience through affordable housing:
As a native, I am acutely aware that without affordable housing, my family would likely not have been able to afford the cost of living in San Francisco, CA. The urban location of my housing community meant that I effectively grew up in a transit-oriented development with proximity to good transit, high-opportunity schools, and community resources - giving my family access to economic mobility that I credit to this day.
One of the biggest takeaways from graduate school was the value of working together to drive an initiative. Initiatives often benefit from various voices, with various experiences and perspectives. The most important of which is that of those who will be the recipients of the initiative. Neighborhoods are micro-economies made up of families, social characteristics, cuisines, and small businesses. I believe that the most effective strategies to preserve and honor cultural diversity involve steps taken to involve community voice and ownership in the decision-making process and outcome in order to support and drive the economic development of existing AND future populations.
As someone who grew up in one of San Francisco's most historic and challenged neighborhoods, I have witnessed the effects of divisive gentrification up close. Gentrification has not been fair or inclusive for my community, and the consequences are evident today - lower Black homeownership, displacement, and loss of equity. Unfortunately, most of my community did not realize the severity of what was happening until it was too late, and living expenses forced families to move out. This is what inspired me to pursue a career in affordable housing real estate development. I am not just a professional, but a community member who cares about creating an equitable and inclusive community for everyone.
As we continue to work together to solve the housing crisis, we hope more of you will join us in our fight to create a more equitable and resilient Bay Area for all. This program was made possible through the generosity of Merritt Community Capital Corporation, funding HDTI through their Commitment to California initiative. Obi is also a Merritt Scholar as part of Commitment to California!