In keeping with our theme, “Building Communities, Building Power,” this year’s guidebook explores the many ways that affordable housing supports resilient communities from promoting healthy community spaces to building political power for affordable homes and communities for all. Articles for both experts and beginners define affordable housing and explore how to grow equitably, lift up the political leadership of residents, and highlight the links between the built environment and vibrant, healthy communities. affordable housing opportunities for low-income communities in the East Bay by advocating, organizing, educating and building coalitions. For over 30 years, we have activated our dynamic membership, now over 500 organizations and community leaders, to advocate for equitable housing policies at the neighborhood, city, county, regional and state levels. Historically, the private housing market has been characterized by exclusionary practices and policies by some landlords, lawmakers and realtors. People of color, lower-income people, immigrants and other groups have often had to live in substandard or overcrowded (yet still expensive) housing, while being excluded from communities with access to quality schools, jobs and other amenities. We need to address these challenges through laws that advance fair housing, prohibit discrimination against voucher holders or formerly incarcerated people, and uphold renters’ rights. At the same time, it’s important to build and preserve affordable housing, because we need more permanently affordable homes to increase opportunity for lower-income people and those with special needs. Affordable housing is officially        defined as housing that costs 30% or less of one’s income. Many government housing programs use this standard. People who pay more than this are considered “cost burdened,” and those who pay more than 50% of their income are “severely cost burdened.