Support for Local Engagement

ABAG staff is working on supporting materials, research-based messaging guidance and best practices in engagement to assist with Housing Element public engagement and to address HCD comments made on jurisdiction housing outreach activities. More information on translation and interpretation assistance can be found on this webpage.

Resources for Communications and Public Engagement

How to Engage Farmworkers in the Housing Element Process: this guide is intended to provide practical advice to cities, towns and counties for conducting outreach and engagement — even if there are not farms or farmworkers living within your community. The accompanying templates can be downloaded and edited to fit your jurisdiction's needs.
The RHTA Photo Catalog provides photos illustrating neighborhoods with varied types of housing. All photos are available for use by Bay Area jurisdictions working on their Housing Element.
"Let's Talk About Housing:" Communications Guide For Local Government: this document is a data-driven communications guide for use by local government staff and elected officials to foster productive conversations with residents about housing. The guide is based on existing and new research and includes consistent, clear language for discussions about affirmatively furthering fair housing (AFFH) legislation. View the Guide and download the video overview.
Best Practices for Equitable Engagement Primer: this primer provides effective ways to engage communities and stakeholder organizations that traditionally are underrepresented in local government participation. It is designed to provide local jurisdictions with a range of tools, strategies and best practices for engaging all community members. View the Primer and download the video overview.
Section 508 document and website accessibility resources.

Community Engagement Consultant Services for Jurisdictions

An analysis of HCD comments on Housing Elements from other regions showed that two-thirds of communities had inadequate public engagement. To assist you with effective community engagement, RHTA is offering direct, customized community engagement and communications support to local planners and elected officials. The following services are available at no charge through Schechter Consulting:

Advice and coaching on communications, outreach and community engagement
Strategies and process design for community engagement
Community meeting planning and facilitation
Assistance in development and review of presentations, frequently asked questions and other communication materials
Assistance in handling difficult conversations or conflict with community members.

For more information and to access these services email debbie@dschechter.com with a brief description of the support you need and the timing.

Social Media Toolkit

A social media toolkit (in English, Spanish and simplified Chinese) to help jurisdictions communicate with their residents online about Housing Element updates.

Templates

Webinar Recordings

Housing Element Webinar: How to Talk About Housing – Data-Driven Lessons on Housing Communications that Work and Those that Backfire (4/27/2021)
Housing Element Webinar: Engage How To! Introduction to Remote Meeting Tools (5/25/2021)

For more information about civic engagement contact:

Leah Zippert, Public Information Officer
Email: lzippert@bayareametro.gov
Phone: (415) 820-7995