Vox Populi just wrapped its 22nd year of providing strategic communications and public affairs services to our clients throughout the Bay Area. We are particularly grateful in this challenging time to work with our community partners.

SECURING NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING AT FORMER NAVAL BASE

After more than two years, the Alameda West Midway and RESHAP Housing Project was approved by the Alameda City Council.

Vox Populi managed a multi-year public affairs campaign for Brookfield and Catellus, including community engagement, communications and government relations, to transform a portion of the former Alameda Naval Base with 787 housing units - nearly 50% with some level of affordability.

ADDRESSING FOOD INSECURITY ON THE ISLAND

In the past year, Alameda Food Bank has witnessed a 140% increase in serving the city’s most vulnerable households. To create a permanent solution, the Alameda Planning Board unanimously approved a development plan to construct the Food Bank’s new, 18,000 square-foot community market at Alameda Point. 

Vox Populi worked with the Alameda Food Bank’s incredibly generous volunteer board and executive director to manage government relations, communications strategy, and outreach and advocacy-building for the proposal that will go to City Council in the new year. 

KEEPING PROFESSIONAL, COMMUNITY-DRIVEN SPORTS IN OAKLAND

The City of Oakland and County of Alameda are working together on agreements to keep Oakland Roots, Oakland Soul, and Project 510 rooted in Oakland.

Vox Populi has supported the organization with government relations and strategy to achieve its objectives of “Oakland First, Always” to create an interim pathway while searching for a long-term permanent home in Oakland. We are looking toward 2024 to get it done! 

PREPARING FOR SEA LEVEL RISE WHILE BUILDING NEW WATERFRONT COMMUNITIES

In record time, one of Alameda’s newest waterfront housing communities has launched. LAUNCH Alameda is the first of a three-phase development that will add more than 700 homes to the 44-acre Alameda Marina property. In 2023, this meant securing approvals for additional units to fulfill the project’s infrastructure commitments - including a new $35 million seawall along Alameda’s northern waterfront - while also making the project economically feasible. The new community also includes safe bike lanes and an extension of the Bay Trail for recreational use open to the public.

EXTENDING FULL RENT CONTROL PROTECTIONS TO

MARITIME RESIDENTS

The floating home community at Barnhill Marina is part of Alameda's unique island charm. Marina residents were blindsided in 2021 when new ownership increased rents by as much as 178% — a move that would have displaced many long-time tenants on a fixed-income. Fortunately, last month a U.S. District Court ended the battle by upholding Alameda City Council’s decision to include maritime residents in its rent control protections. 

Vox Populi worked pro bono for two years with Barnhill’s floating home association to secure protections at both the City and State levels, including Assembly Bill 252 (AB 252), which extends rent control on floating home berths in the San Francisco Bay. 

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEW YEAR

In 2023, we continued our work with the YMCA of the East Bay, and also began servicing a comprehensive contract of government relations, communications and stakeholder management for St. Rose Hospital in Hayward.

I will continue to chair the Economic and Government Affairs Committee (EGA) for the Alameda Chamber, and in 2024, I’m thrilled to join the talented and diverse group of professionals of the East Bay Economic Development Alliance (East Bay EDA) on its Executive Committee. 

I also look forward to continuing to volunteer my services to Rhythmix Cultural Works, Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter, and Alameda Meals on Wheels, which celebrated its 50th year providing essential services to the island’s most vulnerable.

Happy Holidays!

Becca