Series Overview

California’s housing crisis is growing. To help city and county leaders better navigate complex housing issues in their communities, ILG is hosting a webinar series featuring subject matter experts on land use and housing, legal regulations and parameters and community engagement. This series will provide information and best practices, facilitate discussion and answer questions to help local governments better address housing issues in our communities.

Webinar Schedule

Sessions take place the first Thursday of every month from 2:00pm, April through November 2021.

April 1 | Exploring New Housing Laws and Ordinances

State laws and regulations pertaining to land use, housing and development are complex and ever changing. Join ILG and the Department of Housing and Community Development to hear an update on current housing laws and proposed legislation that will impact local housing development.

Access the recording and slide deck here.

May 6 |  Rental and Mortgage Assistance, Tenant Protection and Other Tools to Support Residents During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted economic opportunity and the ability for California residents (many of whom were already burdened) to afford housing costs. While the pandemic has created a number of challenges, local government have formed partnerships and explored unique strategies to help their residents stay housed. This webinar will share programs tactics local governments have put in place including rental assistance, tenant protection and anti-displacement practices.

Speakers:

• Christine Viterelli, Grant Writer, City of Arvin
• Heather Vaikona, President & CEO, Lift to Rise
• Carrie Harmon, Assistant Director for the Riverside County Economic Development Agency
• Maryann Leshin, Deputy Director Housing & Community Development, City of Oakland

Access the reccording and slide deck here.

June 3 | Effective Leadership in Housing and Development

More than half of renters in California and a third of homeowners are cost burdened – or spend more than a third of their income on housing. This webinar will provide an overview of California’s housing crisis, the development process, barriers to more housing development and the basics of the regional housing needs assessment (RHNA) allocations and help local elected officials navigate their role in addressing the housing crisis.

Speakers:

• Carolyn Coleman, Executive Director, League of California Cities
• Graham Knaus, Executive Director, California State Association of Counties
• John Hidahl, Supervisor, El Dorado County 
• Ma’Ayn Johnson, Housing Program Manager, Southern California Association of Governments & former Planning Commissioner, City of Fullerton
• Cindy Silva, Councilmember, City of Walnut Creek

Access the slide deck and recording here.

July 1 | Equity and Housing: Meeting and Exceeding California’s Fair Housing Requirements

California has a commitment to fair and equal housing. That commitment was reinforced by the passage of AB 686 requiring public agencies to administer housing and community development programs in a way that furthers fair housing. This webinar will provide an overview of the fair housing laws, strategies to implement/address these requirements and the interconnection between fair housing and larger socio-economic, equity and environmental justice issues.

Speakers:

• Tyrone Buckley, Assistant Deputy Director of Fair Housing, Department of Housing and Community Development
• Muhammad Alameldin, Economic Equity Fellow, The Greenlining Institute
• Lori Droste, Councilmember, City of Berkeley
• Isaac Rosen, Associate, Best Best & Kreiger

Access the recording and slide deck here.

August 5 | Strategies to Engage Your Community on Housing Issues

Authentic community engagement and well-designed community conversations can help quell a number of common community concerns related to housing development. While elected officials do not often plan and lead community engagement efforts, they play a critical role in understanding their residents’ vision, concerns and needs. This webinar will share tips to effectively listen to and communicate with your community on housing topics.

Speakers:

• Councilmember Ruben Abrica, City of East Palo Alto
• Wendy Nowak, Principal, PlaceWorks
• Delo Freitas, Senior Planner, City of Arcata

Access the recording and slide deck here.

September 2 | Climate-Resilient Land Use & Housing Policies

Well-planned communities can not only create vibrant, healthy and walkable communities, but planning policies and practices can also create more resilient communities that are able to withstand the growing threats of climate change. Hear from ILG and your local government colleagues about best practices and lessons learned to address climate resilience through local land use and housing policies.

Speakers:

• Erik de Kok, Deputy Director, Planning & Community Development, Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR)
• James Gore, Supervisor, Sonoma County
• Eric Nelson, Planning Commissioner, City of Dana Point

Access the slide deck and recording here.

October 7 | Housing Strategies to Help Address the Homelessness Crisis

Over 150,000 Californians are experiencing homelessness. The COVID pandemic encouraged innovation and infused a significant amount of one-time dollars into cities and counties to help address this crisis. But what did local governments learn from this experience? Join ILG, HCD and your local government colleagues to hear about funding opportunities, strategies and lessons learned to implement housing strategies to make progress toward tackling California’s homelessness crisis.

Speakers:

• Megan Hunter, Community Development Director, City of Salinas
• Lindsey Slama, Senior Homelessness Policy Specialist, Department of Housing and Community Development

Access the slide deck and recording here.

November 4 | New Housing Laws, Programs and Funding

With the close of the legislative session, there are many new regulations that will impact local land use authority and the tools available to you to meet the housing needs in your community. To help you navigate these new requirement and opportunities, ILG and our partners the Department of Housing and Community Development, the League of California Cities and the California State Association of Counties will provide an update on new housing laws and regulations, programs and funding that will impact housing development.

Speakers:

• Chris Lee, Legislative Representative, California State Association of Counties
• Sohab Mehmood, Housing Policy Specialist, Department of Housing and Community Development
• Jason Rhine, Assistant Legislative Director, League of California Cities

Access the slide deck and recording here.