Building the Knowledge, Tools & Leadership Capacity to Shape the Bay Area’s Housing Future
The Bay Area is at a pivotal moment for local leadership on housing. New state laws, a major housing agency reorganization, regional financing tools, and growing community needs are reshaping the responsibilities of local elected officials. Housing Forward is a focused, high-impact leadership series that equips councilmembers with the clarity, confidence, and practical tools to navigate this evolving landscape and make informed, values-driven housing decisions.
An Exclusive Space for Elected Leaders
Designed exclusively for local elected officials, this series creates a confidential environment for honest conversation, shared learning, and practical problem-solving with peers navigating similar housing challenges. Through five core webinars, an on-the-ground project site tour, and a full-day ULI UrbanPlan workshop, participants gain both deep policy insight and hands-on, experiential learning.
BAY AREA HOUSING INNOVATION TOUR
Friday, May 15, 2026
Experience housing solutions in action through an on-the-ground tour of innovative Bay Area developments. This session will bring you directly to projects that demonstrate what’s possible, including mixed-income developments, teacher housing, modular construction, transit-oriented development, and preservation sites. You’ll engage directly with practitioners, residents, and developers to better understand the policies, partnerships, and financing approaches that made these projects possible.
In-Person Session
Further details and registration coming soon
HOMES FOR EVERYONE
Friday, June 12, 2026
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
What can the Bay Area learn from Vienna, Singapore, and other global leaders in social housing? This session explores cost-based rental models, limited-profit development approaches, and governance structures that create inclusive, stable, mixed-income communities at scale.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand what social housing really is—and isn’t
- Learn how global models achieve permanence, quality, and affordability
- Identify principles most applicable to Bay Area policy and local implementation
Virtual Workshop
Register Today!FINANCING THE FUTURE
Friday, July 10, 2026
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Today’s housing challenges demand new approaches to capital and financing. This session explores innovative financing instruments, public-private-philanthropic partnerships, RHFA tools, loan guarantee funds, and community capital models that can accelerate both housing development and preservation.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand how innovative finance unlocks new housing opportunities
- Learn how RHFA capital stacks work in practice
- Identify tools for funding middle-income and social housing
- Explore opportunities to leverage philanthropy and public land
Virtual Workshop
Register Today!ULI URBANPLAN FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS
Friday, August 21, 2026
Time TBD
Step into a realistic development simulation that mirrors the complex decisions local leaders face. Working in teams, councilmembers navigate zoning requirements, community priorities, financial feasibility, and political trade-offs as they develop and present a comprehensive redevelopment proposal. This immersive, hands-on experience strengthens decision-making and deepens understanding of the real-world dynamics that shape housing and development outcomes.
In-Person Session
CZI Community Space, 801 Jefferson Ave, Suite 100, Redwood City
Further details and registration coming soon
CHANGING HEARTS & MINDS
Friday, September 11, 2026
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Housing decisions are as much about values as they are about policy. This session equips electeds with practical strategies to communicate more effectively, build trust, reduce polarization, and navigate contentious public conversations with clarity and confidence.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply values-based narratives that resonate across divides
- Communicate rezoning and Housing Element decisions with greater clarity
- Address community concerns and misinformation effectively
- Practice leadership approaches that foster transparency and trust
Virtual Workshop
Register Today!KEEPING COMMUNITIES WHOLE
October 2026
Stable communities are the foundation of equitable cities. This session focuses on tenant protections, targeted anti-displacement policies, community ownership models, and preservation financing tools that help cities maintain long-term affordability and prevent displacement.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify effective preservation tools, including CLTs, co-ops, and acquisition funds
- Understand tenant protection models that support vulnerable households
- Use data to identify displacement risk and prioritize interventions
- Learn how to weave preservation strategies into Housing Element programs
Virtual Workshop
Further details and registration coming soon
Videos of Past Events
Housing the Middle
March 13, 2026
Teachers, nurses, first responders, and essential workers increasingly can’t live in the communities they serve. This session explores zoning reforms, public land strategies, employer partnerships, and financing tools that expand housing options for middle-income workers and build vibrant, mixed-income neighborhoods.
- Ian Carlton, Founder of MapCraft
- Wayne Chen, Housing Director, City of Mountain View
- Chek Tang, Founder, T-Square studio
- Meea Kang, Board Chair, Infill Builders Council
Amplifying Voices: Compelling Messaging and Storytelling
September 20, 2024
Delve into the art of crafting persuasive narratives and messages to convey the significance of housing initiatives. Discover effective strategies for partnering with stakeholders across the housing ecosystem and learn how to empower community members to advocate for housing issues. Join us to enhance your communication toolkit and drive meaningful change in your community’s housing landscape.
- Tony Winnicker, TW Communications and Strategy
- Fatima Burgos, SV@Home
- Jordan Grimes, Greenbelt Alliance
- Amie Fishman, NPH/Shift the Narrative
- Edie Irons, All Home
- Moderator: Anu Natarajan
