January 2025
Building Regional Power for Equity-Centered Housing Policy
The Partnership for the Bay’s Future’s Policy Fund showcases how collaborative partnerships between local governments and community-based organizations are transforming the Bay Area’s housing landscape. This evaluation report of the Policy Fund’s second cohort (2022-24) highlights the successes, challenges, and learnings from 11 teams working toward equity-centered housing policies to protect renters, preserve affordable housing, and promote community-driven solutions.
The Policy Fund’s innovative “inside-outside” strategy bridges local government efforts with community advocacy, fostering trust and collaboration to achieve equity-focused housing outcomes. Strengthened by a housing fellow, funding, technical assistance, evaluations, and a support network, it creates an environment ripe for developing policies responsive to the communities’ needs—promoting sustainable and adaptable long-term housing solutions across the region.
Key Achievements
- 13 Policies Adopted: Advancing equity through housing preference policies, equitable land disposition, and innovative use of faith-based land for affordable housing.
- $76 Million in Funding Secured: Creative funding strategies leveraged significant resources to support affordable housing projects.
- Community Engagement: 137 meetings involving 2,845 attendees built a foundation of informed and empowered communities prepared to advocate for housing justice.
As the Bay Area continues to face a housing affordability and displacement crisis, this report offers actionable insights for policymakers, community advocates, and housing practitioners. Readers will find detailed case studies, creative funding strategies, and lessons learned from real-world collaborations between governments and communities. This report is a practical guide for developing equity-focused housing policies and building partnerships that drive meaningful, lasting change.
Discover how the Policy Fund is reshaping housing policy and advocacy in the Bay Area.
