2nd Annual Housing Collaborative

January 6, 2026

in Connect,

The East Bay Rental Housing Association (EBRHA) is proud to host the 2nd Annual Housing Collaborative on Saturday, January 31st, at Bloc15 in Oakland’s Jack London Square. The event will bring together hundreds of renters, aspiring homeowners, and rental housing providers for a day of networking, education, and resource-sharing.

A Community-Centered Event

This free event serves as a vital platform for connecting individuals with housing programs, grants, rebates, and financing options. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with local agencies and organizations dedicated to housing accessibility, energy savings, home repair assistance, and fair housing education.

Housing Experts Panel Discussions

Housing policy is shifting, and the stakes are rising. Don’t miss this critical conversation moderated by EBRHA CEO Derek Barnes, examining the challenges, political pressures, and policy threats facing cities, counties, and housing organizations.

There will be two panel discussions. The first panel: Macro Outlook on Housing and Homelessness, featuring Michelle Starratt, Director of the Alameda County Housing & Community Development Department, and Emily Weinstein, Director of Oakland Housing & Community Development. The second panel: Local Housing Authority Updates and Guidelines is with Patricia Wells, Executive Director of the Oakland Housing Authority, Will Daniels, Dir. of Operations, Berkeley Housing Authority, and Joseph Villarreal, Executive Dir., Contra Costa Housing Authority.

You don't want to miss these panel discussions, which promise to deliver candid insights into what’s ahead for the housing community.

Schedule

10:00 am - Doors Open - Bloc15 for the 2026 Annual Housing Collaborative

11:00 am - Welcome Address - Derek Barnes (CEO, EBRHA)

11:45 am - Lunch

12:00 pm - Loud Table Discussion Groups Begin

12:30 pm - Panel 1 - Macro Outlook on Housing & Homelessness

Featuring: Michelle Starratt (Director, Alameda County HCD) and Emily

Weinstein (Director, Oakland HCD)

1:15 pm - Loud Table Discussion Debrief

1:30 pm - Panel 2 - Local Housing Authorities Program Update & Guidelines

Featuring: Patricia Wells (Director, Oakland Housing Authority), Will

Daniels (Dir. of Operations, Berkeley Housing Authority), and Joseph Villarreal (Executive Dir., Contra Costa Housing Authority).

2:30 pm - Closing Announcement & Prize Giveaway

3:00 pm - Housing Collaborative Ends

Exhibitor Showcase

Attendees will have access to a robust exhibitor showcase featuring a range of organizations offering essential housing support services. Among the participating exhibitors are housing advocacy groups, financial institutions, municipal housing agencies, and organizations specializing in energy efficiency and renter rights.

Prize Giveaway

All attendees will have an opportunity to win an iRobot Roomba Vacuum & Mop - Easy to use, Intense Power-Lifting Suction, LiDAR Navigation, Multiple Cleaning Modes, Avoids Mopping Carpets, and Self-Charging.

You must be in attendance to win, so be sure to attend the Annual Housing Collaborative!

Lunch Available for Purchase

January 29th is the final day to pre-order lunch for the Annual Housing Collaborative. Pre-order is $20, but lunch will be $25 at the event. Enjoy a delicious selection of chicken, roast beef, or veggie sandwich options, plus a salad and cookie (gluten-free options available), and refreshing lemonade.