May is a month dedicated to affordable housing, a cause important to me both personally and as the new Chair of Generation Housing’s Advisory Board. Since joining the board in February 2021, I have been a part of the growth and impact our organization has made across Sonoma County. There is still much work to be done to realize our vision of creating vibrant communities where everyone has a place to call home and can contribute to an equitable, healthy, and resilient North Bay. This month, as we highlight affordable housing and push for change, we invite you to join us in making a difference—your action is key to driving change and building a better future for our community.
Stable affordable housing is the foundation of thriving communities, and the ever-rising cost of housing is impacting quality of life and forcing many of our family members, friends, colleagues, and neighbors to sacrifice essentials like nutritious food, health care, and educational opportunities. These are sacrifices that no one should have to make in a community as rich and vibrant as ours. Working towards policy solutions that help housing is important to me because I grew up here. My friends and family live here. It is where we call home.
I encourage you to read our 2023 report, “Making the Rent: The Human Price of Housing Cost Burden.” It shines a light on the real struggles faced by our community members due to housing unaffordability. As an engineer, I trust data to inform my decisions. The report not only presents the data but also highlights the stories and people behind the data. It’s a powerful reminder of why our work is important and why we must continue to push forward for housing solutions that work for all of the North Bay.
I am proud to be a part of Generation Housing. Gen H is the only local housing advocacy organization in Sonoma County and in a relatively short time, we have made a significant and tangible impact. Together with our community we have:
- Championed policy solutions that spur the production of multi-family housing, desegregate our neighborhoods, and create diverse housing options for all residents.
- Published a comprehensive series of data-driven research reports, including targeted topic-specific reports, two State of Housing reports, and the 2023 ‘Making the Rent’ project.
- Endorsed projects that have collectively created 5,294 housing units, over half of which are 100% affordable.
- Organized over 40 educational events and numerous initiatives to engage, and educate the community, strengthening our collective voice for housing advocacy. Many are available on our Gen H YouTube channel.
None of this would be possible without your support. This month, let’s renew our commitment to ensuring that everyone in the North Bay has a place to call home. Together, I invite you to join us in two powerful ways:
- Sign our North Bay Next petition: Your signature will help us advocate for the necessary changes that can transform our community for generations to come. Sign the petition today and join us in building a more equitable, healthy, and resilient North Bay.
- Become a Member: For just $5, you can become a Gen H member, and be an integral part of the solution. Your membership amplifies the voices of those impacted by local housing shortages and affordability issues. Together, we can grow our power and make meaningful progress in ensuring that people in Sonoma County have access to housing that meets their needs. Join us today and become a member.
Thank you for standing with us. Let’s make affordable housing a reality for more families in Sonoma County.
With gratitude,
Jorge Inocencio, Board Chair