Affordable Housing Panel Discussion @ the Downtown Santa Cruz Library
May is Affordable Housing Month and to highlight this issue, the library is hosting a panel discussion with local leaders and experts who are exploring this issue. This will be an opportunity to deepen your awareness of your neighbors’ experiences; grow your understanding of the foundational role that home plays in strengthening our individual, family, and community outcomes; and cultivate a commitment to ongoing learning.
During Affordable Housing Month, residents from all over the region come together to learn, engage, and add our voices to the conversation about how we strengthen our neighborhoods. We look forward to an evening of learning and community discussion.
Registration required: https://loom.ly/SEW2JBI
Panelists:
Elaine Johnson, Director of Housing Santa Cruz County (HSCC) Elaine Johnson has a deep commitment to creating positive change in the Community. HSCC is focused on growing its supporter base, advocating for affordable housing projects, hosting community education events and speaking at local government jurisdictions in support of specific affordable housing projects. HSCC also continues to monitor the progress of affordable housing projects across the county through its publicly available affordable housing project map and tracker.
Learn more about HSCC here: www.housingsantacruzcounty.com
Carlos Palacios, Santa Cruz County Administrative Officer Carlos Palacios established the Housing for Health Division to oversee and coordinate the County’s response to the homelessness crisis. He has overseen the establishment of the Office for Response, Recovery and Resilience to lead the County’s emergency preparedness and climate action plan efforts. He also sits on several joint powers authorities and local boards, including the Regional 911 Center, Santa Cruz Public Libraries and Central Coast Community Energy.
Learn more about the County Administrative Office here: www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Departments/CountyAdministrativeOffice/CarlosPalacios,CAO.aspx
Jenny Panetta, Executive Director of Housing Authority, Santa Cruz County (HACSC)
In her role as Executive Director of Housing Authority, Jenny Panetta works with the community to promote and expand affordable housing. This mission of Housing Authority is to promote access to quality affordable housing, utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life, and support inclusive, healthy and sustainable communities free from discrimination.
Learn more about HACSC here: www.hacosantacruz.org
Dr. Robert Ratner, Santa Cruz County Housing for Health (H4H)
As someone trained in medicine and public health, Dr. Robert Ratner has a passion for health promotion, disease prevention, and health disparity reduction through integrated health services, community building, and a focus on the social determinants of health. The mission of H4H is to ensure that all residents have a safe and stable place to call home by; seeking solutions to prevent and end homelessness; mobilizing and increasing community resources; and strengthening the capacity of individuals and organizations to accomplish lasting change.
Learn more about Santa Cruz County’s Housing for Health department here: www.santacruzhumanservices.org/HousingforHealth