Roots to Roof

O T R O S O T O F S O R A

LEARNING R E SE M M RIE U S S

Presented by Vecinos Activos

and SOMOS Mayfair

SOHC R A Í ET A SEC ON NU AR A EV ES R ED E I JAZIDNERPA ED E

Roots to Roofs was a six-part virtual learning series for members

of the SOMOS Collective curious to learn and work towards

dignified housing for our community. The 2-hour workshops

were hosted virtually in the summer of 2021.

June 16

Land History in San José

June 30

Racial Capitalism & Housing

July 14

What is Alternative Housing?

July 28

Community Land Trusts

August 11

Community Development Corporations

August 25

Housing Cooperatives

As a committee of SOMOS Mayfair, Vecinos Activos organizes families in Mayfair and

East San José. Community members (parents and children) meet to discuss the root

causes of problems affecting the community. Through direct action and policy

change, families are organizing to address permanent affordability, development

without neighborhood displacement, and alternative housing solutions.

1

Alternative Housing Timeline

CORE COMMUNITY COMMITTEE FORMED MARCH - JUNE

LEADER PREP

8-12 families launch the group, determine commitments & roles

VECINOS ACTIVOS recruit update process

June 16

LAND HISTORY June 30 JUNE - AUGUST

SUMMER

LEARNING:

Roots to Roofs

RACIAL CAPITALISM July 14

WHAT IS ALTERNATIVE HOUSING? July 28

COMMUNITY LAND TRUST August 11

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION August 25

COOPERATIVE HOUSING September 23-25

LOCAL TRIP SEPTEMBER -

NOVEMBER

COLLECTIVE

VOTE

3-day local trip with committees: virtual tours, local site visits, deep analysis and celebration

October

PROPOSAL November 17

VOTE

2

Alternative Housing Framework

The framework in which we view housing models to determine if it aligns with our neighborhood values.

Current

Governance

Who gets to make decisions?

How are resources managed?

Ownership

Who owns the land and housing?

What are the benefits of ownership?

Land owners, banks, government Stability & affordability Profit "The American Dream"

Alternative

Democratic community control

Shared stewardship

Funding

Where does the money to purchase come from?

Banks Inheritance

Where does it go?

Away from community

Regenerative

Collective Power

How much power do participants have to influence what happens in the neighborhood?

How does the community benefit from this system?

Participation

How much participation is required of residents?

Little power No benefits

Pay rent

Empowered community

Active and inclusive

Those with power

Who can participate?

3

Felix Quintana

Felix Quintana is a multi-disciplinary artist known for the themes of access, solidarity, and equity he incorporates into his work.

The 3 panels represent a narrative of hope and community-led action, even in the face of displacement. The artist met with residents of East San José who expressed fear and anxiety of a gentrifying city, and their commitment to advocate and build out a vision for a more vibrant community.

4

Land History in San José

51 participants

June 16

Workshop #1

Goals

Reflection Questions

Reflect on personal experiences with the land.

What is a place you or your family have lived that feels meaningful?

Become familiar with San José histories of land ownership, oppression, and resistance

What did you give to this place? What did this place give to you and your family?

Identify connections between these historical roots and current experiences today.

Has your family left this place. If so, why?

What connection do you still feel to it?

Reflection Questions

What actions has your family had to take to access or protect the places you lived?

Reflection Questions

In 40 years, what do you want your grandchildren to Community Reflections remember about the work we are doing today?

I have a place to live because That they too could grow up here. my grandmother and her friends did not give up.

That we made history by reclaiming our land.

No matter how many times we are invaded, you cannot talk about us in the past tense. We are still here, we are still resisting, we will always overcome.

I want my grandkids to feel rooted, loved, and deeply connected to community.

I would like my grandchildren to remember how we fight to unite all races and work to meet our needs.

That they can live where they feel connected without worrying about being displaced.

That they live in a beautiful and safe place because of the fight that their grandparents carried on-- they were fearless.

5

Land History in San José June 16

Workshop #1

San José sits on Tamien land. The entire region was first stewarded by the Muwekma Ohlone.

Spaniards arrived in 1777, colonizing the area, stealing land and enslaving indigenous people.

The U.S. government spent the 1800s ceding occupied land, breaking treaties, and extracting resources to build white land owners' wealth.

The gold rush brought people to San José.

"Spanishtown" developed as an independent community for those forced to work in the dangerous mercury mines in Almaden.

The agriculture and canning industries grew in the 1900s. Immigrants made a home in Mayfair, which sits outside city limits. The community organized and built mutual aid networks.

Today, our community faces displacement and the effects of centuries of systemic racism. We continue to resist and organize!

6

Racial Capitalism

Workshop #2

44

participants

June 30

Goals

Main Themes

Reflect on the myths we have heard about racial groups.

Economy is set up to extract wealth from many for the benefit of few.

Become familiar with the concept of racial capitalism and how it connects with housing in the U.S.

Natural resources & land have been "claimed" to produce monetary value.

Identify connections between these historical roots and current experiences today.

Myths about racial groups support and justify this system.

Our current housing system is a modern example of this unjust economic system

Key Concepts

Commodification of Land

When natural resources are seen as things to extract monetary value from

Extractive Economy

An economy fueled by the accumulation, concentration, and enclosure of wealth and power The accumulation is dominated by large corporations and a small circle of families who benefit from a racist social structure

Racial Capitalism

Myths about racial groups are used to uphold

white supremacy and status quo...

The Spanish colonized the indigenous Ohlone and jobs became restricted by racial categories.

The Almaden Mines are an example of different racial groups being paid differently for the same dangerous work.

Redlining in the 1930s created segregated neighborhoods with inequitable access to resources.

The 2008 Housing Crisis and the predatory loans most affected Black & Latinx households.

"The Earth is Not for Sale"

by Ricardo Levin Morales

7

Racial Capitalism

Workshop #2

June 30

Community Reflections

an’t be bought or so c t a ld?

Wh

Integrity Love Health Trust

Memories The feeling of home Belonging Sense of security

Community Friendship Peace Family

More time to support each other and beautify our community.

one copulaldcemyaoke money o n If off the be u live, t would different? a h w

More shared ownership.

Mental freedom.

Money and resources redirected to community well-being.

More time to live, rather than overworking to afford to live.

The value of time and money would change. We wouldn't have to work to live.

Our lifespans would be longer. Children would have more time with their parents.

Depression rates would decrease.

Stronger sense of community, permanence, care, stewardship of homes.

Our community residents are working 14-16 hour days, often 6-7 days a week. They aren’t seeing their children. This affects our community. And it is all to pay for overpriced housing. For what end?

It is hard to imagine a world where housing isn’t sold, but we need to envision it. We need to be owners of our own time but it is hard when we don’t own our own homes.

If you keep privatizing everything (like commodifying the land) and oppressing communities, the poor are excluded from having resources. The poor people are left with crumbs.

We work to make someone else rich!

8

What is Alternative Housing?

Workshop #3

38

participants

July 14

Goals

Reflect on our own stories of stewarding resources collectively.

Moms working together to trade off childcare days.

Become familiar with a new alternative housing framework.

e v i t c e l l o c

Connect this framework with current and alternative systems.

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W

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ave we e

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e

Maria M. remembers organizing our power to get a crosswalk for our children.

When somebody gets sick, we rally with cards, meals, testing to see if we're a donor match, etc.

We helped neighbors with rides, groceries, Luz remembers company during families taking turns COVID. hosting reading circles in the neighborhood.

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Family supporting elders purchasing a house.

Neighborhood cleaning days.

of reso ent ur ce em s? ag n a m

Camille’s family hosted newly arriving Filipino relatives, helping them get their start.

Neighbors and family sharing fruit that grows on the trees on their property.

Making tamales together to sell for a fundraiser.

We organized a free soccer league with snacks, coaches, & celebrations.

In Mexico, Leticia's community formed a Board who could fix their sewage drainage. All paid into project.

Saul's family had an ejido in Nayarit: they planted corn. Along with his cousins, he helped sow seeds. His uncle's role was to administer the lands and distribute what they grew.

Amelia’s grandma started lending circles in LA (money was used for bail, home loans, etc.)

Donating and sharing clothes with neighbors.

9

What is Alternative Housing?

Workshop #3

July 14

Where have you seen Collective Community Testimony Ownership modeled in your life?

My name is Susanna, I was born in Acapulco Guerrero, Mexico, I have lived in California for 22 years, I have ben involved with SOMOS for 11 years now. I began working with SOMOS with their Seeds program, teaching parents how to take care of their children, we held these sessions in our homes before we grew. I would facilitate these workshops.

From there, I began working in Bridge To Kinder and Parents Helping Parents. Being involved in these programs, I felt eager to continue my education, I signed up in De Anza College to receive my Child Development certificate.

The project I was involved in was fixing the street in front of our homes. The street crossed three schools, roughly 3,000 kids would walk our street daily. During the rainy season, the street would flood making it impossible for traffic and children to cross, students would often miss school because of it. The local government promised to supply the material needed to rebuild this street but we had to build the street ourselves.

The community came together, families that could not pitch in with money, helped with labor, families with a little extra gave a bit more money and other families help with transportation, feeding the crews, and providing water. There were even small children helping move rocks.

I get very emotional talking about this project because it was a real community project from children to adults had to come together to complete this community project. When the community comes together real change can happen, we had the city mayor come and congratulate us and celebrate the completion of the project with a block party. After we finished, there were other community members asking us to come and complete a similar project in their neighborhood. We couldn’t have done this by ourselves, we needed each other to complete this project.

Susana Burgos

10

What is Alternative Housing?

Workshop #3

July 14

Where have you seen Collective Community Testimony Ownership modeled in your life?

My name is Luz Maria Abonce. I was born in a small town called Santo Tomás. After leaving a domestic violence relationship in Las Vegas, I came to live in Mayfair with my 5 children - we have been living in California for 16 years.

When I first arrived in the area, I started looking for resources for myself and my family, when I learned about SOMOS and other programs available to me. Somos helped me develop my self-esteem: I began to attend workshops, where little by little I began to gain confidence and began to participate in programs related to Somos.

I will never forget what one of the leaders told me: "We don't want to give you the cake, we want to teach you how to make it yourself."

When I was a child, I saw the importance of community participation. There were many problems in my community because there were not enough resources. My father was very involved in the community, he helped uplift our community by unifying people to help repair roads, build concrete power poles and water wells. These needs were necessary, but the local government failed to provide the community with what they needed to survive.

From these experiences, I have learned that it is really important for the community to come together and work to improve our neighborhoods, and also it is very valuable to come together to share resources to bring change to our youth and families.

Luz Maria Abonce

11

Community Land Trusts

Workshop #4

38

participants

July 28

Goals Guest Presenters

Understand how a CLT could benefit our community and find inspiration in the CLT model.

South Bay Community Land Trust

Understand the challenges of a CLT for our community.

Connect the CLT model to our alternative housing framework.

Fideicomiso Comunitario Tierra Libre

What is a CLT?

A nonprofit organization led by community that aquires land and stewards it in perpetual trust for the benefit of lowincome communities for generations.

Who has decision-making power?

Typically, there is a balanced, shared leadership. A common model is to have a Board of Directors made up of equal parts residents, community, and external partners.

Residents that live in the land trust

1/3

1/3

Case Studies

Moms4Housing

Experts and technical support Oakland CLT

1/3

Local community members

12

Community Land Trusts

Workshop #4

July 28

What do we like about CLTs?

What is missing from this model?

CLT empowers and centers community; “community has control of its own destiny”

Can we include rent-to-own? We want to escape renting.

CLT offers security for residents, so they aren’t at the mercy of landlords..right now we don’t have power to push back against abuse CLT separates value of land from house value Includes restorative justice Brings unity, shared ownership/pride

We need to be very thoughtful of the power model-- governance should be distributed Resources/funding feels like a big challenge We want to learn more about how we would approach topics like evictions, communicating with those who don't follow agreements, etc.

“Not knowing if your rent is going to be raised is traumatic-- this would bring a sense of safety for families” Dismantle systems Agreements vs rules = new way of thinking

How well do you think a CLT could

Do you feel like you could explain the

address our housing needs/concerns?

CLT model to your mom?

10%

55%

35%

70%

Maybe a little

Well

Very well

Yes

5%

25%

No Need more information

13

Community Development Corporations (CDCs) Workshop #5

26

participants

August 11

Goals Case Studies

Understand how a CDC could benefit our community and find inspiration in the CDC model.

Jamaica Plains

Neigborhood Development Corporation

Understand the challenges of a CDC for our community.

Connect the CDC model to our alternative housing framework.

Little Tokyo Service Center

What are CDCs?

Organized as 501(c)(3) nonprofits The work closely with financial institutions They sometimes have Boards made up of residents and executive staff. There are no general 'members.'

They typically offer a WIDE network of services: building housing, resident support, senior services, small business support, early education, financial education...

History: A Mixed Legacy

CDC's emerged in the 1960s & 1970s in low-income, Black neighborhoods. Philanthropy & faith orgs led the work The federal government funded CDCs directly in the 1970s Government support slowed down in the 1980s...private sources began funding CDCs to fill the gap. This led to a 'professionalization' of the work, with less focus on organizing

14

Community Development Corporations (CDCs) Workshop #5

August 11

What do we like about CDCs?

What is missing from this model?

CDCs can offer a wide mix of programs, services and properties

Sustainable funding is difficult to acquire

CDCs are able to tap into the right funds in order to build

How do you stay community-based?

Especially when it's mostly a professional staff running the machine?

There are more opportunities to buy and preserve housing through this model A well-established CDC has a lot of integrity in a community

CDCs become landlords, which could cause tension If the CDC disappears, what happens to the community and all the programs and properties?

How can restorative justice be incorporated?

It's easy to lose your organizing edge...CDCs require close proximity to politics and external partners It's a more complex and formal organization

How well do you think a CDC could address

Do you feel like you could explain the CDC

our housing needs/concerns?

model to your mom?

7%

73%

20%

33%

7%

60%

Not at all

Maybe a little

Well

Yes

No

Need more information

15

Housing Co-Ops Workshop #6

38

participants

August 25

Goals Case Studies

Understand how a housing cooperative could benefit our community and find inspiration in the model.

Understand the challenges of a co-op for our community.

Celebrate our learning and imagine our future.

What is a housing co-op?

Non-speculative -- the price doesn't follow the open market Affordable and accessible Limited Equity Housing Co-op (LEHC) is permanently affordable, can't be sold for big profits Co-ops promote ownership and stability for families Residents make all decisions and manage the property together Residents need technical assistance and support from other organizations

How well do you think Cooperative Housing

Do you feel like you could explain the

could address our housing needs/concerns?

Cooperative model to your mom?

29%

50%

21%

63%

37%

Maybe a little

Well

Very Well

Yes

Need more information

16

Housing Co-Ops Workshop #6

August 25

What do we like about Co-Ops?

What is missing from this model?

Individuals have more decisionmaking power (how to maintain building, how to use money, etc.)

Financing this seems complicated... how could it be adapted to San Jose, where land is very expensive?

Committees allow residents to be directly involved and organized

How quickly could co-ops be implemented? It seems like a slow process

Co-ops utilize already existing houses

There needs to be more clarity on how to navigate relationships, resolve conflict, and encourage participation

More democratic Both renters and owners are treated equally: they pay the same and have the same rights

Who holds the property title?

Tenants can become owners

Community Reflections

In

50

ars, when o ur ye

a

lt

e

r

n

at

iv e

h o u si n g

is

th

r

iv

in

g

,

you envisio do n? at h w

I envision a community where more young people are able to go to university, because I played a part in advocating for healthy and safe homes for their families.

In 50 years I see families living in their homes, enjoying quality time with their children, and planning for their futures. What I take away from this series is learning, hope and many GANAS!

In 50 years we will have a different future, fueled by imagination. Our deep-rooted community, and dream-filled leaders will be equipped to "do."

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K Y N O A U H T

MADE THIS PROJECT PO O H W SSI BLE ALL O T

Matt & Oscar, for leading this work For all those who generously shared their time, visions, processes, and encouragement: Jocelin and Jacky from South Bay Community Land Trust Roberto and Fanny from Fideicomiso Comunitario de la Tierra Michael Trujillo from the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley Kasey, Yuki, and Jess from Beverly Vermont CLT and Tierra Urbana Debbie and Caroline from Little Tokyo Service Center Diana, Oscar, and Matthew from TRUST South LA For those on the core committee, who thoughtfully shaped this work: Vicenta Mayoral Maria Teresa Barcenas Angélica Flores Javier de los Santos Maria Teresa Muñoz Rebeca Lazo Sarita Chavez Maria Martinez For those on the staff committee, who provided feedback: Jessica Trejo Chelsey Prewitt Yvette Castro Farias Olivia Ortiz Maria Martinez For additional SOMOS Staff who helped plan and support our learning sessions: Andrea Portillo Ambar González Amelia Post Lupe (Maria) Guerrero Dilza Gonzalez And finally, to dozens more community members and staff who joined us in the learning and contributed their voice, time, and dreams to this process!

Created October 2021 Design by Chelsey Prewitt