Housing Justice Newsletter: Owning the Dream | Replacing Myth with Fact | UWBA Awards 24 Housing Grants
United Way Bay Area
For over 100 years we've brought together individuals and organizations across the Bay Area to end the cycle of poverty!
Welcome to the United Way Bay Area (UWBA) Housing Justice Newsletter!??
?In this issue, we’re sharing the inspiring story of Shekinah’s journey to homeownership, discussing the tangible benefits of affordable housing, and exploring regional solutions to the Bay Area housing crisis.??
You’ll also find out how UWBA is supporting local organizations with grants. Stay informed, stay engaged, and join us in making housing justice a reality for everyone!??
?Let’s get started.?
Owning the Dream
The narrative tends to sound grim—that Bay Area homes are unreachable, unaffordable, and inaccessible for the average person. But there is light. Shekinah’s journey to homeownership not only gives us a bit of hope but also serves as a critical examination of our housing system.
While many believe, rightfully so, that homes are simply unavailable, the real crux of the issue often lies in the systemic barriers that make it unnecessarily arduous for potential homeowners even to attempt a purchase.?
“There was nothing in my origin story to support that desire, I just knew that I was tired of the uncertainty of being a renter.”? - Shekinah, UWBA Ambassador?
As a public school educator, Shekinah was under no illusions about the difficulties she would face when she embarked on her journey to homeownership. Featured briefly in the New York Times, her story sheds light on the opportunity and purchasing power of Community Land Trusts (CLT). What the Times article won’t say, is the relentless persistence required to navigate a convoluted system.?
“We were like, ‘Okay, this is the year we need to make this happen.’ So, we started looking into what we needed to do. The first step in home buying is through some pre-qualification – that was the eight-hour HUD class.”?
Replacing Myth with Tangible Facts:?
There is the myth that affordable housing brings down the value of a neighborhood or doesn’t provide benefits to a community. Misconceptions about affordable housing developments are based on fear of negative stereotypes, property values, and the change it brings to neighborhoods—all of which are common arguments in opposition to a new housing community.?
In fact, it’s the lack of affordable housing that can negatively impact a community. This housing shortage in major metropolitan areas?costs the American economy about $2 trillion a year in lower wages and productivity.??
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THIS JUST IN – BAHFA Update
As of June 26, 2024, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) has voted to place BAHFA’s $20B affordable housing bond on the?November 2024?ballot!! This is a huge win in our Policy and Housing Justice work, and we believe it will have an incredible impact on our Bay Area housing crisis.
Now YOU will have the chance to show your support at the ballot box! If this is your first time hearing about BAHFA, our friends at the EAST Bay Housing Organizations (EBHO) have an in-depth look at the bond and what it means to build regional solutions.
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UWBA Supports 24 Housing Organizations with Grants!?
United Way Bay Area (UWBA) is awarding grants to 24 Bay Area organizations as part of our affordable housing grantmaking efforts. These grants support non-profit organizations working to increase access to stable and affordable housing, address the racial wealth gap, prevent homelessness, and promote policy advocacy around the issue.??
“I found the process of establishing policy for how grants would be distributed invaluable. The opportunity to help fund our community organizations which oftentimes are the only safety net for families, was eye-opening. Learning from top to bottom how funding is determined and then voting on resource distribution with people who have lived experiences has been a rewarding insight and I am grateful to be a part of the process” - Liat Meitzenheimer, UWBA Ambassador?
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Thank you for your continuing support!
?United?Way Bay Area activates individuals, businesses, and communities to work together to address the root causes of poverty and build pathways to prosperity for all Bay Area residents.