This was a big week at East Bay Housing Organizations! We have three big campaign updates about the redevelopment of the Concord Naval Weapons Station, housing element campaign, and push for tenant protections in Alameda County.
What’s next for the Concord Naval Weapons Station?
Last Saturday, the Concord City Council heeded calls from the community to reject Concord First Partners’ term sheet for the redevelopment of the Concord Naval Weapons Station. In a 3 to 2 vote, Council rejected the term sheet and ended the Exclusive Negotiating Agreement with the developer. Thank you to all of the EBHO supporters who wrote emails to Council — you made a difference.
We had serious concerns about the term sheet, so we’re grateful that the Council rejected the deal as written. We are frustrated, however, to see the construction of affordable housing for our community delayed yet again.
The Concord City Council will now go back to the drawing board to seek a new developer to complete this project, with possible next steps to be presented to Council at their March 14th meeting. Whoever the next developer may be, EBHO will continue our advocacy for affordable housing. To get involved in this work with the EBHO Concord Committee, please email aaron@ebho.org.
Monitoring Housing Element Implementation
This Tuesday, January 31 was the deadline for Northern California cities to adopt a housing element, which is a plan for the next eight years of housing development in their city. Housing elements must then be approved by the state Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
In the East Bay, a number of cities met the deadline for adoption but are waiting for certification from HCD. Berkeley’s housing element was rejected by HCD, and several jurisdictions have yet to complete their housing element. Over the past year, we have been tracking the housing element process in over 20 cities across the East Bay, and written 18 letters to local cities holding them accountable to affirmatively furthering fair housing in their planning.
Going forward, EBHO will continue our advocacy in the municipalities that have yet to adopt a housing element and track implementation of housing elements in key jurisdictions. To get involved in this work, please email jeff@ebho.org to join the Local & Regional Policy Committee.
Alameda County Tenant Protections Update
Thank you to all of the EBHO supporters who wrote letters to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors in support of tenant protections for the unincorporated Eden Area. Your advocacy has increased pressure on the Board to pass these protections sooner rather than later.
Prior to the scheduled January 24 vote, EBHO co-sponsored a rally with My Eden Voice and ACCE Action in support of tenant protections for the unincorporated areas.
The Supervisors ended up postponing the vote to February 28 giving us more time to ensure its passage. Following the announcement that the vote was postponed, Moms 4 Housing held a direct action in support of Eden Area tenants. Please email dolores@ebho.org to get involved in future actions.