Housing and Homelessness Committees Meet

The Bay Area Council’s Housing and Homelessness Committees this week welcomed Dr. U.S. Housing and Urban Development Senior Advisor Richard Cho and HUD Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Lopa Kolluri, who provided a briefing on the federal government’s role in addressing housing affordability and homelessness. Dr. Cho spoke about historic federal spending to address a national housing crisis and noted the need for more effective coordination among federal, state, and local authorities. Kolluri highlighted federal initiatives such as the Biden Administration’s Build Back Better agenda and the President’s 2022 budget proposal to promote investment that aims to modernize and revitalize housing across the nation. 

Berkeley Mayor and Association of Bay Area Governments Chair Jesse Arreguin updated the Council on the work the city is doing to eliminate single family zoning, preserve existing affordable housing, and build shelters to house the homeless. He also discussed the need for breaking down barriers to new housing production. The region’s housing shortage, Mayor Arreguin stressed, is serious threat for companies trying to recruit and retain workers in the Bay Area. To engage in our housing policy work, please contact Senior Policy Manager Kelli Fallon.