Another Successful Annual Housing Collaborative Brings East Bay Resources Together

Whether you rent, hope to buy your first home, already own a home, or manage rental property, navigating housing in the East Bay can feel overwhelming. That’s exactly why this year’s Annual Housing Collaborative was such an important and successful event.

The free, public event once again fulfilled its mission: connecting renters, homeowners (current and aspiring), and rental housing providers with the programs, services, and experts available to support every stage of the housing journey.

This year’s Collaborative was kicked off with a supportive message from Alameda County Supervisor Lena Tam, who expressed the importance of events like these to improve access to housing resources in the East Bay.  The brought together 30 community-based organizations, nonprofits, financial institutions, and municipal agencies, all under one roof. Attendees had direct access to trusted resources covering housing stability, home ownership, energy efficiency, financing, compliance, insurance, and more.

Participating organizations included:

The diversity of services on display reinforced a key takeaway: There are far more housing resources available than many people realize, if you know where to look.

In addition to the exhibitor floor, attendees benefited from two timely and candid panel discussions addressing the shifting housing landscape.

Moderated by EBRHA CEO Derek Barnes, the conversations examined housing challenges, political pressures, policy updates, and looming funding threats affecting residents, small businesses, and community-based service providers.

• Panel One: A Macro Outlook on Housing and Homelessness
  Featured speakers:

  • Michelle Starratt, Director, Alameda County Housing & Community Development Department

  • Emily Weinstein, Director, Oakland Housing & Community Development

  This discussion explored regional trends, homelessness response strategies, and how public agencies are adapting to evolving housing policy realities.

• Panel Two: Housing Authority Updates and Guidelines
  Featured speakers:

  • Patricia Wells, Executive Director, Oakland Housing Authority

  • Joseph Villarreal, Executive Director, Contra Costa Housing Authority

  Panelists shared practical updates on housing authority operations, program guidelines, and what housing providers and renters alike should expect in the months ahead.

Building Stronger Housing Connections

The Annual Housing Collaborative continues to prove the value of collaboration by bringing together public agencies, nonprofits, financial partners, and industry professionals to better serve the East Bay's diverse housing community.

Thank you to all who attended, exhibited, spoke, and helped make this year’s event another success. We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing these important conversations in the year ahead.