Explore the Report

Mapping Housing Equity Efforts in the Bay Area

What will it take to resolve the Bay Area’s housing crisis? Our latest StoryMap provides a compelling examination of the critical role community organizations play in advocating for affordable housing and tenant protections across the region. It emphasizes the interconnected nature of housing initiatives led by ECL members and their organizations, with a focus on equitable governance, community mobilization, and the production and preservation of affordable homes. Through sustained organizing and active community engagement, these organizations are tackling immediate challenges while laying the groundwork for long-term solutions. Together, their efforts embody a shared vision for a more inclusive and just Bay Area, where every resident has access to safe, affordable, and high-quality housing.

Explore the StoryMap

Defining Housing Equity Terms for the Bay Area

To further support our readers, we have developed a housing equity glossary specifically designed for the Bay Area. It provides clear and comprehensive definitions of key terms, concepts, and policies related to housing justice and equitable community development. By demystifying the often complex language surrounding housing equity, this resource empowers readers to engage more effectively in discussions and solutions that shape our region’s housing landscape.

Access the Glossary

We invite you to explore these resources and consider how they can support advocacy efforts for equitable housing solutions in your community. We also welcome you to share your stories, questions, and insights with us, as your experiences and perspectives will help enrich this growing body of research.

Delve into the Analysis

Visualizing the Black Community and Experience in the Bay Area

We are also proud to introduce an updated interactive dashboard that allows users to explore this data in a dynamic and accessible way. The dashboard offers a visual representation of the key indicators affecting Black communities across various cities and counties in the region. Users can delve into specific metrics such as educational attainment, income levels, and representation, making it easier to understand and engage with the data.

Explore the Dashboard

Using These Resources to Drive Action in Your Community

Whether you are an advocate seeking to identify key areas for intervention, a policymaker aiming to shape effective policies, or a community member interested in understanding local trends, this growing suite of resources is a powerful asset you can leverage to drive transformative change.

We encourage you to explore the data, interact with the dashboard, and join us in pushing for equitable solutions that create a more just and inclusive region for all.

Dear Atlas Users,

As we transition into fall, we’re excited to share the latest research and resources we’ve released. From examining the shifting demographics of Black communities in the Bay Area to amplifying local voices through data-driven storytelling, we’ve continued equipping advocates, policymakers, and community leaders with the insights they need to drive equitable change across the region. Now we invite you to explore the updates below, engage with our tools, and take action to help create a more equitable Bay Area for all.

Exploring the Shifting Demographics of Black Communities in the Bay Area

This summer, we launched Black in the Bay Area, our research series that examines the evolving landscape of the region’s Black population. The first analysis in this series — Who is Black in the Bay Area? — provides key insights into immigration patterns, changes in ancestry, and the complexities of multiracial identity, challenging traditional narratives of decline. Alongside the analysis, we’ve released an updated interactive dashboard, offering dynamic, accessible data on key indicators like education, income, and representation across the Bay Area.

Amplifying the Voices and Lived Experiences of Bay Area Residents

We’re proud to reflect on the success of one of our signature features — the “In Their Own Words…” series. This data-driven storytelling project has provided a unique lens for exploring the local context of critical equity issues, such as housing instability, linguistic isolation, transit inaccessibility, and economic insecurity. By amplifying personal stories from people who live and work across the region, we’ve brought Atlas data to life, offering a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of the challenges many residents face. These stories continue to highlight the diversity, resilience, and ingenuity that define Bay Area communities. Explore the story map.

New Indicators Shed Light on Economic Insecurity and Homelessness in the Bay Area

We’ve added two new indicators to the Atlas: basic family needs and experiencing homelessness. They provide data-driven insights into the challenges families face in meeting their essential needs and the stark realities of homelessness in the region. Each indicator features 25 detailed displays that break down data by race/ethnicity, gender, age, and trends over time. These displays are further enhanced by informative maps and rankings that illustrate the geographic and demographic nuances of these issues. By integrating these new indicators into the Atlas, we aim to shed light on the persistent economic and housing inequities impacting communities across the Bay Area, while also lifting up actionable solutions to address these issues.

Data Update: Bay Area Recovery Dollars Tracker

The December 31, 2024 deadline to obligate funds from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program is fast approaching. Localities have until the end of this year to complete their obligation or the remaining dollars will be returned to the US Treasury. To continue bolstering efforts to ensure these funds are invested equitably, we’ve updated the Bay Area Recovery Dollars Tracker to reflect city and county spending plans through March 31, 2024. Our latest assessment reveals that the 33 larger Bay Area localities reflected in the dataset have made plans to spend $2.8 billion (93 percent) of their $3 billion SLFRF funds, leaving $222 million (7 percent) left for them to allocate. Learn more.

New Housing Affordability Factsheets: Redwood City and Salinas

We’re excited to share two factsheets we developed to highlight the housing affordability challenges in Redwood City and Salinas, where more than half of households are renters and many of them are struggling to keep up with rising housing costs. In Redwood City, a proposed fair and affordable housing ordinance aims to stabilize rents, protect against unjust evictions, and improve living conditions, potentially saving rent-burdened households an average of $15,300 annually. The City of Salinas is working on a rental stabilization ordinance that would offer similar protections, with rent-burdened households standing to save an average of $8,300 per year. Both factsheets were developed in partnership with local housing advocacy groups, including Faith in Action Bay Area, Affordable Redwood City, Public Advocates, and BHC Monterey County.

Get Involved: An Open Call for Stories

We are currently sourcing additional stories for our “In Their Own Words…” series — and we could use your assistance. We are actively seeking stories that would align with the following indicators: disconnected youth, employment, basic family needs, police use of force, homeownership, and economic gains: racial equity in income. If you know of anyone whose experiences would be valuable to share, or if you have ideas for new stories, please contact us at info@bayareaequityatlas.org.

— Bay Area Equity Atlas Team

Delve into Insights from Our Fellowship

We see the seeds of change taking root. Looking ahead, our focus remains steadfast on enhancing the Racial Equity Data Lab to meet the evolving needs of communities and those who advocate for them. We are structuring future resources into learning arcs that address foundational data visualization skills, applying a research justice lens, and aligning data products to strategic stakeholder mapping. This approach aims to empower all Atlas users to deepen their data literacy autonomously, supporting a diverse range of data projects and roles within the advocacy landscape.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we advance our mission of leveraging data to advance equity and justice. Together, we look forward to shaping a more inclusive future.

Best,

The National Equity Atlas

Dear Atlas Users,

As 2024 draws to a close, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the year. It’s been filled with meaningful collaborations, data-driven insights, and impactful projects that continue to drive positive change in communities across the country. As we wrap up the year, we’re excited to share some of the highlights from 2024, and we’re also looking ahead to 2025 with some exciting projects in store that will continue to advance data equity nationwide.
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Empowering Communities with Data to Strengthen Local Action

This year, we collaborated on key projects to support regional equity efforts across the US. In California, we developed seven regional equity profiles to support the California Jobs First initiative, a $600 million statewide effort to drive investments that strengthen communities. These profiles cover regions such as the Central Coast, Inland Empire, and Southern Border, providing valuable data and insights to address long-standing inequities, promote climate resilience, and ensure that new development benefits communities of color and historically disinvested areas. We also partnered with local organizations in Long Island to produce an updated equity profile for the region, providing an in-depth analysis of its economic challenges, environmental justice issues, and health disparities. Both projects underscore the importance of localized, data-driven approaches to advancing equity, with the power to inform community-led solutions and shape policy for a more equitable future.

Making Waves in the Media

Throughout 2024, the Atlas was featured in several media outlets, amplifying the reach and impact of our work. In August, The Seattle Times referenced our data in a report on the rise of unpaid rent in low-income housing, shedding further light on the financial struggles tenants face as rental arrears continue to mount. In April, Shelterforce cited our data in its analysis of deepening rental arrears and increasing operational costs faced by affordable housing providers. Our rent debt data also made its way into Capital & Main, where it was featured in a story about a Los Angeles renter preparing to fight for his home in court. And our collaborative study with Rideshare Drivers United was mentioned in a CalMatters article discussing the implications of Prop 22 and its impact on gig economy workers. To explore more media coverage, visit our news archive.

Addressing Economic Insecurity and Housing Pressures

This year, we released two critical pieces of research that highlighted the growing disparities in housing and community well-being. Our report on economic insecurity and green space equity in Los Angeles County uncovered significant racial and economic disparities in access to green spaces, revealing how these gaps affect the quality of life and exacerbate broader economic inequalities. Meanwhile, a data snapshot we released earlier in the year delved into the growing pressure US renters feel to leave their homes, particularly in regions like the South and Southwest, where financial strains were most acute. These insights, which were incorporated into our rent debt dashboard, underscored the urgent need for stronger protections for renters and equitable solutions to improve both housing stability and access to essential community resources like green spaces.

Celebrating the Conclusion of the National Equity Atlas Fellowship

In the first quarter of 2024, the second cohort of National Equity Atlas Fellows completed their equity data projects. The program concluded with a Fellowship Showcase, where each of them presented their projects—ranging from a transit equity dashboard in New Orleans to a toolkit on economic disparities caused by heir properties in Detroit. Post-fellowship interviews with both cohorts provided valuable reflections on their skill development and impact. As we look ahead, we’re retooling the Racial Equity Data Lab and refining our approach to continue promoting research justice and advancing data equity in the field.

Driving Conversations on Data and Equity at the PolicyLink Equity Summit 2024

We hosted three sessions at this year’s PolicyLink Equity Summit, each showcasing innovative approaches to advancing equity through data and community engagement. The first session examined transformative data systems, exploring the balance between data disaggregation and holistic analysis, while also addressing the ethical considerations surrounding the use of big data. In the second session, we shared strategies for creating accessible and impactful data visualizations that can drive meaningful change. The third session offered an immersive experience, inviting participants to think beyond traditional indicators and imagine new ways to measure and promote community well-being. To dive deeper into the sessions and access the resources we shared, visit nationalequityatlas.org/equity-summit-2024.

Looking Forward to the New Year

Thank you for using the National Equity Atlas and for your ongoing commitment to advancing equity through data, research, and collaboration. We wish you and yours a joyful holiday season and look forward to an even more impactful 2025!
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— The National Equity Atlas Team at PolicyLink and the USC Equity Research Institute (ERI)

Dear Atlas Users,

As this summer winds down, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the incredible research and resources we’ve released throughout 2024. It’s been a productive year for the National Equity Atlas, and we’ve remained committed to providing advocates, policymakers, and community leaders with data-driven insights for driving meaningful change. As we look ahead, we’re excited to share some of our highlights from the year so far:

Atlas Sessions at the PolicyLink Equity Summit 2024

The Atlas hosted three sessions at this year’s PolicyLink Equity Summit, offering various approaches to advancing equity through data and community engagement. The first session explored transformative data systems, addressing the balance between data disaggregation and holistic analysis, blending humanistic storytelling with quantitative rigor, and navigating the ethical implications of big data. The second session showcased strategies for creating accessible and impactful data visualizations. The third session provided an immersive experience, encouraging participants to think beyond traditional indicators and envision new ways to measure whether a community is loving and thriving. These sessions underscored our commitment to rethinking data and design practices to better serve and empower communities. Learn more about each session, the lineup of speakers, and the shared resources.

New Report: Exploring Economic Insecurity and Green Space Equity in Los Angeles County

Our latest report dives into the intersecting challenges of economic insecurity and green space equity in Los Angeles County. This in-depth analysis uncovers the significant racial and economic disparities in access to green spaces, shedding light on how these gaps affect economic stability and overall well-being. By examining these interconnected challenges, the report offers valuable insights into how limited access to green spaces both reflects and exacerbates broader inequities. Delve into the report and the Green Space Equity Glossary, which provides essential definitions and key concepts related to the report’s findings.

Data Update: Rent Debt Dashboard

Rent debt remains a significant national crisis — and our updated Rent Debt Dashboard sheds light on this ongoing issue. As of July 22, more than 5 million renter households remain behind on their payments, accumulating more than $9.5 billion in total rent debt. This lingering debt has placed a disproportionate strain on low-income households and communities of color. Geographic disparities are also evident, with states like California and Texas showing some of the highest levels of rent debt. Dive into the data to see how rent debt varies across the US.

ICYMI: 2024 National Equity Atlas Fellowship Showcase

Our second cohort of fellows wrapped up their year-long journey this spring, culminating in a showcase of their visionary projects. The showcase highlighted the innovative strategies each fellow developed to address critical issues like housing affordability, climate change, the digital divide, and wage theft. Their recorded presentations provide a glimpse into how data can be leveraged to advance equity in local communities. The conclusion of our fellowship program has offered us valuable initial insights that will shape and guide our future initiatives.
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We Want to Hear from You!

We value your insights and feedback as we continue to expand our resources. If you have found any of our research or tools useful, or if you have suggestions for how we can better support your work, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Share your thoughts and stories with us at info@nationalequityatlas.org.
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— The National Equity Atlas Team at PolicyLink and the USC Equity Research Institute (ERI)

Dear Atlas Users,

The Bay Area is one of the most ethnically and racially diverse regions in the nation, but is that diversity reflected in local political leadership? For the past five years, the Bay Area Equity Atlas has tracked data on the diversity of local elected officials. Our analysis of the latest data indicates that people of color still face significant barriers to accessing and exercising political power. Here’s more about political representation in the region and other updates from the Atlas:

Despite Some Progress, Bay Area Elected Officials Remain Disproportionately White

Our latest examination of the diversity of high-level Bay Area elected officials — mayors, city council members, supervisors, and district attorneys — reveals more people of color are running for office and winning local elections throughout the nine-county region. Between 2019 and 2023, the region’s share of elected officials of color increased from 29 percent to 37 percent. Despite this steady increase, people of color remain vastly underrepresented, given that they make up 60 percent of the region’s population. And 25 percent of Bay Area cities still have no people of color represented in their city government. 

Exploring the Impact of Unrepresentative Political Leadership on Legislation

How does the lack of diversity among Bay Area elected officials impact housing policy outcomes? 

To explore the relationship between real estate interests held by local elected officials and their voting patterns on housing legislation, we reviewed statements of economic interest forms for electeds in a sample of 20 cities and the region’s nine counties. Our review indicates that one in four elected officials have property interests, suggesting that the perspectives and experiences of renters may be underrepresented in local government decision-making.

In Focus: Fostering Diversity in Local Government

People of color account for 73 percent of Antioch’s total population, but only 45 percent of elected officials representing the city, which includes Contra Costa County electeds, are people of color.  When Antioch City Councilmember Tamisha Torres-Walker won her first term in 2020, she became the first Black Latina to join the five-member city council. She stepped into office clear on her priorities: to uplift and support communities of color. During her tenure, she has helped pass progressive policies like rent stabilization, guided the creation of a mobile mental health crisis team, and secured funding for transitional housing and violence prevention. Learn more about her story. 

Data Update: Bay Area Recovery Dollars Tracker

Cities and counties across the region are still deciding how they’ll invest their remaining share of flexible federal resources from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program. Local governments have until the end of 2024 to obligate their SLFRF dollars. To continue bolstering efforts to ensure that policymakers use these funds equitably, we’ve updated the Bay Area Recovery Dollars Tracker to reflect local governments' allocation of SLFRF funds through March 31, 2023. Our assessment of the most recent public data reveals that Bay Area localities have made plans to spend $2.3 billion (70 percent) of the $3.3 billion SLFRF funds allocated to the region, leaving $972 million (30 percent) left to be allocated.

Meet Our New Team Member

You might have already noticed, but we recently added a new member to our team. Please help us officially welcome Ezinne Nwankwo. Shaped by her experiences as an immigrant from Nigeria, Ezinne’s research interests center on the migration and immigrant experiences of Black and African populations. Over the next year, she’ll serve as a postdoctoral research associate for the Atlas partnership, housed within the USC Equity Research Institute (ERI). We’re thrilled to have her on board to support our research and engagements!

Atlas in the News

Atlas data and insights have been featured in several local outlets over the past month. Here’s a brief roundup: Bay City News included data from our race/ethnicity indicator in a piece about efforts to boost political engagement among Bay Area youth ahead of the 2024 elections. As part of local coverage of labor activism, Axios highlighted our January 2023 analysis of the economic challenges facing workers as the region continues to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. The San Francisco Examiner cited the Atlas in a piece about political representation in the city of San Francisco. Bay City News’ Kiley Russell partnered with the Atlas to leverage our data on the diversity of electeds in a piece about the ongoing underrepresentation of people of color in the halls of power. For more, explore our news archive.

Atlas on the Road

The Atlas team regularly engages with local advocates and organizations. Here’s a brief look at some of our recent presentations: On August 22, Michelle Huang conducted a walkthrough of the Atlas for staff from the City of San Jose. On August 23, Michelle joined SPUR for a panel discussion on how local agencies and organizations are supporting and sustaining the growth of small businesses owned by people of color. On September 20, Ryan Fukumori trained the staff of Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services on using the Atlas, leveraging Richmond and Contra Costa County housing data. Interested in hosting a presentation or training? Contact us at info@bayareaequityatlas.org.

Thank You,
Bay Area Equity Atlas Team

Dear Atlas users,

Recent headlines have focused on the Bay Area’s population loss over the last few years. But how did the region’s population — and its demographics — change during the 2010s? Our latest analysis explores the trends and what they mean for our future. Explore our findings and more updates from the Atlas:

At a Glance: The Bay Area’s Shifting Population

The Bay Area added more than half a million people between 2010 and 2020. However, our analysis of the latest decennial census data reveals that population growth during this period was uneven across the nine counties. Smaller cities in the East Bay and South Bay saw larger rates of population growth, while unincorporated areas in the North Bay and South Bay lost residents. The region’s racial and ethnic demographics are also quite different than they were a decade ago. By 2020, people of color and multiracial people comprised nearly two-thirds of all residents (64 percent), a notable rise from 50 percent in 2010. Despite this growth, Black and indigenous populations across the region have still declined.

Advocating for Language Equity in the Bay Area

The nine-county Bay Area is home to speakers of more than 160 languages — and more than 200,000 households across the region don’t speak English well or at all. These linguistically isolated households largely speak Asian languages or Spanish. For farmworkers, many of whom speak other indigenous languages from Mexico, the situation is even more precarious: safety messages aren’t often translated into the languages they speak. Maria Salinas, a farmworker and organizer who predominantly speaks Chatino, has pushed to increase language access. In 2022, she and other farmworkers successfully advocated for the creation of an emergency operations plan that requires employers in Sonoma County to provide safety training and information to workers in their preferred languages. Learn more about her story.

ICYMI: Examining the Diversity of Bay Area Elected Officials

Our latest examination of the diversity of high-level Bay Area elected officials — mayors, city council members, supervisors, and district attorneys — reveals more people of color are running for office and winning local elections throughout the nine-county region. Between 2019 and 2023, the region’s share of elected officials of color increased from 29 percent to 37 percent. Despite this steady increase, people of color remain vastly underrepresented, given that they make up 60 percent of the region’s population. And 25 percent of Bay Area cities still have no people of color represented in their city government. Want to delve deeper? Explore our case study on the relationship between real estate interests held by local elected officials and their voting patterns on housing legislation.

Connect with Our Team

The Atlas team regularly engages with local advocates and organizations — and we’d love to. Interested in hosting a presentation or training? Contact us at info@bayareaequityatlas.org.

Thank you,

Bay Area Equity Atlas team

The National Equity Atlas is excited to announce the release of our latest data tool — At What Cost? Examining Police, Sheriff, and Jail Budgets Across the US. The interactive dashboard explores how much cities and counties across the nation spend on policing and incarceration.

Research has shown that local governments in the United States are dedicating more funds to carceral systems, like jails and law enforcement. At What Cost? sheds further light on this trend. Using data from the fiscal year 2022 budget allocations of 20 US cities and counties, the dashboard compares local spending on carceral activities with money allocated toward community investments that contribute to residents’ well-being — like housing, health care, and social services.

What the Dashboard Does

At What Cost? is a valuable tool for anyone working to promote transparency and accountability in local government. It enables users, including residents, advocates, and policymakers, to:

• Understand how their tax dollars are being spent.
• Assess their community’s spending priorities and compare them to other cities and counties.
• Identify budget trends, funding disparities, and potential areas for reform.

How to Navigate the Dashboard

Unsure where to get started? We've developed a user guide to help you make full use of the dashboard and its data. It highlights key features and provides step-by-step instructions on accessing and interpreting local budget data.

Get Further Support

Have questions about the dashboard or its data? Explore our frequently asked questions. Don't see your question listed, or need one-on-one support? Please submit a request.