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The East Bay Leadership Council’s mission is to “increase the economic vitality and quality of life in the East Bay,” says Kristin Connelly—and as EBLC President and CEO, she leads the charge. Here, the East Bay native shares some of her insights into the challenges facing the region and how rental housing providers can benefit from helping to find solutions. Who are the members of the East Bay Leadership Council (EBLC)? The East Bay Leadership Council represents hundreds of employers across Contra Costa and Alameda counties— from independent contractors to major corporations. Our members are as diverse as the East Bay, but they share the belief that employers have a role to play in bettering their communities. Where does the Council focus its advocacy efforts, and what are some recent achievements/projects? The EBLC’s advocacy efforts are wide-ranging, with particular focus on 12 JULY+AUGUST 2021 / EBRHA.COM
Please tell me a little bit about your background and how it influences your priorities as leader of EBLC. Whether it was food insecurity in Los Angeles, employment law in New York City, or unlocking economic opportunity across California—I have always been inspired to take on big problems. And as an East Bay native, I am thrilled to have the chance to get to work on solving problems in a region that I love so much. What is EBLC’s vision for housing in the East Bay? We need to build more housing, especially near transit. And if the transit isn’t there, we need to build that too. Simply preserving single-family homes is not a sufficient strategy—it will only deepen the housing affordability crisis, hurt the economy and do irreversible harm to the environment. What impacts on rental housing have you seen in the East Bay due to COVID-19? Too many impacts to list here and still
so many questions ahead. I’m hopeful that the East Bay rental housing market is on the rebound, but COVID-19 variants are still a risk, work-fromhome policies continue, and new eviction moratoriums being proposed in places like Concord will continue to create uncertainty. How do you think rental housing providers can best help address the housing shortage while at the same time protecting their economic interests? First, I would encourage housing providers to get creative with their property. Take advantage of permit streamlining for ADUs, duplex conversions, and pre-manufactured homes. There is a lot of innovation in this space that can help increase housing supply and increase income potential for rental property owners. Second, I think there is an opportunity for rental property owners to draw attention to home-share programs that help match potential tenants to vacant rooms within one property. Most of these programs are focused on helping seniors stay in their homes, but they can also help maximize existing housing across the East Bay. Finally, I think it is critical that property owners show up as housing advocates in their local communities and city councils. We need more voices that are saying “yes” to housing in my backyard. Which East Bay cities would you say offer the greatest opportunity for growth for rental housing? Few cities are getting it all right when it comes to housing growth. However,
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building more housing at all affordability levels, investing in the local safety net to advance equity, and increasing access to economic opportunity. Beyond traditional public policy advocacy at the state and county level, the EBLC launched a candidate training program called Build the Bench. The program recruits leaders in the community and teaches them how to run a winning campaign. It’s powered by former campaign staffers, topnotch consultants, and even current elected officials. We are proud of the results, with eight graduates already serving their communities in office.
