Resident Empowerment Program Creates Opportunities for Community Discussion

The Hope Solutions Resident Empowerment Team continues to make huge impacts on our community's approach to solving our affordable housing crisis. Since day one, Hope Solutions staff have partnered with residents to ensure our services are created with their input and feedback In 2018, we formalized this effort through the founding of the

Resident Empowerment Program (REP). The mission of REP is to lift up the voices of those most impacted by the lack of affordable housing and change the narrative concerning solutions

Earlier this year, our REP leaders took on new titles of Housing Policy Consultants, which better reflect and recognize their essential role in the community Three new consultants have joined the team: Deborah Carney, KC Radar, and Jacqueline Lowery coached and supported by our veteran team members, Irma Bodden and William Goodwin.

This team is working to shift perceptions, advocate for policy changes and share first-hand knowledge while centering people with lived experience in conversations about how to solve our housing crisis

With funding from the Partnership for the Bay's Future "Breakthrough Grant," and led by Jasmine Tarkoff, Co-convener Multi-Faith Action Coalition (MFAC) and Hope Solutions Consulting Director of Strategic Initiative, the REP Team is expanding its influence in Antioch This two-year grant is a collaboration between the City of Antioch, MFAC, and Hope Solutions to drive housing policies that promote affordable tiny-home or cottage communities on faith-owned land "The goal of this work is to build thriving communities and bring neighborhood stability, support, and a sense of community for individuals and families in Antioch," says Jocelyn Vera, Hope Solutions Policy Associate and Community Organizer