The Invisible Housing Crisis in Los Altos:  Win/Win Solutions

Earlier this year the Knight Foundation announced a nation-wide program for November 15th, i.e., communities to come together and discuss a local issue on one day, November 15^th.  Knight is encouraging both private “Jeffersonian dinners” and public discussion events.  Silicon Valley Community Foundation has signed up to promote this program locally and has chosen the topic of affordable housing.  They are encouraging local residents and organizations to plan November 15^th events on the topic. (Web site links are at the end of this document.)

Los Altos Women’s Caucus has decided to host a local public, free event on the topic.  The date is November 15^th. Speakers, venue, and details are being worked out.  This event will be focused on affordable housing in Los Altos and Los Altos Hills.  When thinking about the possible residents of local affordable housing, they are thinking of teachers, police, fire, City employees, nurses, and local retail employees.

Event Planning

5:30-7:30pm

Venue:  Silicon Valley Community Foundation (2440 West El Camino Real, Suite 300)

Speakers Secured:

Joe Simitian, County Supervisor

Leslye Corsiglia, Executive Director SV@Home

Julie Mahowald, CFO Housing Trust Silicon Valley

Outline of Event—Focus on Local/Personal Impact and What Can be Done now for Solution  (focus more on solutions and advocacy, not more discussion around the problem)

• 2-3 local speakers w their examples of impact (i.e., teachers, police, nurses, etc)
• What local communities are doing

Joe Simitian

Julie Mahowald

• Group Discussion on solutions
• What YOU Can Do to Get Started

Leslye Mahowald

Co-Sponsors

Los Altos Womens’ Caucus

League of Women Voters

GreenTown Los Altos

AAUW

Web Site Links:

• Knight Foundation–Nation-wide focus on November 15th  “On the Table”: https://knightfoundation.org/press/releases/on-the-table-initiative-to-expand-nationally-spur-community-problem-solving-over-mealtime-conversations-with-1-15-million-from-knight-foundation
• Silicon Valley Foundation: https://www.siliconvalleycf.org/onthetable
• Jeffersonian Dinner: http://jeffersondinner.org/jefferson-dinner/