Letter from the Executive Director – Election Results

Dear EBALDC Family,

As the shock of the national election results continues to soak in, many of us are concerned about the future of an America that is equitable and inclusive of us all. At the very least, it has been a reminder about the importance of voting and civic participation on every level.

Despite what you may feel at this moment in time, the local election results represent a beacon of hope for the values of equity and inclusion. Oakland and Alameda County as a whole have passed measures to support affordable housing, education, transportation, soda taxes, police oversight and renter protections.  These measures indicate that our community wants our system to work better for everyone.

At EBALDC, we are building and supporting models for leveling the playing field for those who are being left behind in the economic and political systems. From the SparkPoint financial center to the SPARC-It Place; from our affordable, transit-oriented housing joint venture with The Unity Council to our almost completed Prosperity Place in Chinatown and our efforts to create affordable, diverse housing at LakeHouse Commons; and from the social supports that we provide our residents, to the amazing work of our property management team, we are proud to work alongside all of you.

This is a moment for us to mobilize and rally together, to be even more determined in the impact we can make. I am re-energized everyday by the fact that we get to collaborate on building healthy, diverse, mixed income neighborhoods where we can raise our families. In solidarity, we stand with our communities.  Someday soon, our collective work will be a model to inspire the rest of the country.

With hope for the future,

Joshua Simon
Executive Director