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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 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.

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,

The City of Pleasanton twinkles in the East Bay’s Tri-Valley.

in conversations with EBLC members, a few places stood out, including Oakland, Walnut Creek, and San Ramon. All of these areas have approached new state laws with an open mind and have proven capable of approving a project on a reasonable timeline. San Ramon’s City Walk project was approved in just over a year and includes 4,500 units of multifamily—that is a remarkable example of what can get done when a city sees housing as an asset to the community.

What else would you like to share about housing in the East Bay? I think it is important to note the total failure of direct aid to rental housing owners throughout the COVID-19 health crisis. It is putting unprecedented pressure on housing providers, and I worry the systems in place will struggle with fraud, like [what] was experienced at EDD. Combine this with a red-hot for-sale market, and many rental property owners are taking a long look at cashing out. It’s an unfortunate situation that has the potential of devastating consequences for our region’s renters and our broader economy. We must do better to maintain a healthy mix of rental housing in the region.

How can EBRHA’s membership learn more about, and get involved in, EBLC’s work? Subscribe to the East Bay Leadership Council’s weekly newsletter at eastbayleadershipcouncil.com, and connect with us across social media. It’s the best way to stay in the know as we host events with influential leaders in business and politics, share our take on pressing business and community issues, and call on you to advocate with us. And of course, consider joining the organization if you want to unlock more benefits for you and your colleagues while helping advance the EBLC’s mission.

SHARE YOUR STORY!

With more than 1,500 members and 100 vendor members, EBRHA is a vibrant and diverse community of people with a shared focus on the rental housing industry. Whether you just bought your first property or your 500th, we want to get to know you and learn from your experience—and your fellow EBRHA members do too. Email editor@ ebrha.com with a brief bio, including a few words about how EBRHA has helped you on your journey, and we’ll reach out to discuss a potential profile or a member testimonial for a future issue.