Written By: Azul Cortez

When we think of political power in the Bay Area, cities like San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland often come to mind. However, there are untapped parts of the Bay Area with the potential for high voter turnout. Antioch, Concord, Bay Point, Walnut Creek, and Brentwood, all located in the eastern part of the San Francisco Bay Area within Contra Costa County, present significant opportunities for community-driven development and political engagement. This region, commonly referred to as the East Bay, offers a unique platform for fostering innovation, equity, and sustainability in housing policies due to its diverse and dynamic landscape combined with its strategic location.

Housing Elements as a Metric for Political Engagement at Hyper-local Level

The speed of adoption of housing elements can serve as a significant metric for identifying opportunities for voter engagement at the hyper-local level. Cities like Antioch and Concord, which swiftly adopted their housing elements, highlight the effectiveness of robust community engagement processes involving workshops, public meetings, and surveys. This proactive approach not only ensures that housing policies reflect local needs but also galvanizes community participation, creating a more informed and active electorate.

Leveraging these hyper-local engagement strategies can feed into broader regional strategies, fostering a cohesive and inclusive approach to housing policy across Contra Costa County. By prioritizing timely adoption and comprehensive community involvement, regional planners can enhance voter turnout and civic involvement, driving sustainable development and equity in housing initiatives.

Adoption of Housing Elements Timeline by City & Community Engagement Approach:

1. Antioch: Adoption Date: January 24, 2023
   • Community Engagement: Multiple community workshops, public meetings, and surveys to gather input from residents and stakeholders. The feedback was crucial in shaping the housing element to reflect local priorities and needs.
2. Concord: Adoption Date: August 22, 2023, Certification Date: October 23, 2023, by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD)
   • Community Engagement: A two-year community engagement process involving multiple revisions based on feedback from HCD. This included public meetings and extensive outreach to ensure community input was incorporated.
3. Bay Point: Adoption Date: December 12, 2023 (part of Contra Costa County’s Housing Element), Certification Date: January 22, 2024, by HCD
   • Community Engagement: Part of Contra Costa County’s broader efforts, which included engaging residents from unincorporated areas like Bay Point through community meetings and input sessions.
4. Walnut Creek: Adoption Date: October 2023 (certified on October 24, 2023, by HCD)
   • Community Engagement: Ongoing public participation efforts to ensure policies reflect community needs. This included public meetings and updates on housing initiatives.
5. Brentwood: Adoption Date: February 13, 2024, Certification Date: April 12, 2024, by HCD
   • Community Engagement: Involved community efforts to shape the housing element, including public meetings and outreach to gather input and ensure alignment with local needs.

Local Organizations Committed to Voter Engagement

Several organizations in each of these cities are dedicated to increasing voter engagement and turnout, especially among marginalized communities:

Antioch:

• Hope Solutions Resident Engagement Program: The Hope Solutions Resident Empowerment Program (REP) is a transformative initiative designed to empower residents of affordable housing communities in Antioch, California, and surrounding areas.
• Lift Up Contra Costa: Focuses on civic engagement and social justice, working to mobilize voters from underrepresented communities.
• First 5 Contra Costa: Engages parents and families in civic activities, including voter education and registration.

Concord:

• Monument Impact: Works with immigrant and low-income communities to promote civic participation, including voter registration and education.
• Rainbow Community Center: Focuses on the LGBTQ+ community, providing voter education and engagement programs.

Bay Point:

• Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization (CCISCO): Works with faith-based communities to engage and empower voters.
• Bay Point Community Foundation: Engages residents in civic activities, including voter education and participation initiatives.

Walnut Creek:

• Walnut Creek Homeless Community Task Force: Advocates for the homeless and housing-insecure populations, encouraging civic participation and voter engagement.
• Diablo Valley Democratic Club: Promotes voter education and engagement among all community members.

Brentwood:

• East County Regional Group (ECRG): A parent-led group working on civic engagement and policy advocacy, including voter registration and turnout.
• Brentwood Strong: Community organization focused on building civic participation and engagement, including voting initiatives.

Conclusion

As we navigate the 2024 election season, the examples of Antioch, Concord, Bay Point, Walnut Creek, and Brentwood illustrate the power of community-based political engagement in shaping not only equitable housing policies but also the community power needed to increase voter turnout. These cities demonstrate that through robust public participation and strategic planning, local governments can address housing needs, promote equity, and foster sustainable development. Engaging residents and stakeholders in the policy-making process not only strengthens community ties but also ensures that local policies reflect the diverse needs and priorities of the community. As voters head to the polls, the lessons from these cities underscore the critical role of local political power in driving meaningful change. The untapped opportunities in East Bay’s Contra Costa County highlight the potential for even greater community-driven progress in the future.