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SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) has named City of San Bernardino Council Members Kimberly Calvin and Damon L. Alexander to their 2022 Housing Policy Leadership Academy.
With State legislation focusing on regional housing needs and market forces accelerating housing production, the SCAG Housing Policy Leadership Academy will expose emerging and established leaders to best practices to increase the availability of affordable housing in their communities. The program will focus on five specific issues: producing housing for all; preserving vulnerable housing, promoting equity and inclusion, protecting tenants and small landlords, and preventing displacement.
“Affordable and inclusionary housing is a critical issue for both the residents of San Bernardino and our region,” said Calvin. This is a tremendous opportunity for Councilmember Alexander and I to take what we learn during this program and apply it locally.”
During the Academy, program participants and issue experts from across the state and region will examine housing issues from diverse perspectives and apply their learning to current policy challenges. Discussions will examine solutions that consider both the physical and social aspects of a healthy housing ecosystem for all.
“With more developers looking at opportunities in San Bernardino, we are poised for growth. We need to be sure that inclusionary and affordable housing is part of that growth,” said Alexander, who represents San Bernardino’s seventh ward. “The timing of this Academy could not be better, and we look forward to being a part of it.”
The Housing Policy Leadership Academy consists of ten monthly sessions and runs through November. SCAG is the nation’s largest metropolitan planning organization, representing six southern California counties, 191 cities and more than 19 million residents.
