In 2005, an historic coalition of labor, community, environmental and housing organizations came together to form the Oakland Development Policy Round Table. These organizations were actively waging campaigns in Oakland to win greater community benefits- such as affordable housing, quality jobs, and environmental safety—from large scale development projects in Oakland. They saw the need to move away from responding to development on a case-by-case basis and “change the rules of the game” to put community, worker and environmental needs first. Since its start, the Round Table has changed its name to the Oakland NetWork for Responsible Development – ONWRD.
Together, ONWRD is working to:
- Create greater community benefits from new development
- Increase the accessibility and transparency of the development process
- Hold government officials and developers accountable
- Empower communities affected by development decisions
- Transform economic and housing development policy
ONWRD serves a critical role in the broader progressive movement:
- Bringing together base-building and policy advocacy organizations
- Coordinating between ongoing campaigns and initiatives
- Sharing information and strategy
- Building broader unity and shared analysis
- Launching joint initiatives and projects
Since its inception, ONWRD has:
- Developed a set of Principles and Policy Proposals for Responsible Economic Development. These principles and policies go beyond critiquing the way that development is currently done to advancing a vision for how development can build a better, more livable Oakland and concrete steps to get there.
- Conducted a scientific poll on development issues in Oakland. This survey—the first of its kind in Oakland and one of few in the country- debunked conventional wisdom on development issues. Rather than falling into traditional “pro-development” or “anti-development” camps, the majority of frequent voters in Oakland support more development and want government to ensure significant quality jobs, housing and neighborhood community benefits from developers. ONWRD thanks the following foundations for their support for the opinion poll: French American Charitable Trust, McKay Foundation, San Francisco Foundation, Solidago Foundation and Unitarian Univesalist Veatch Progam at Shelter Rock.
- Informed the debate on development issues during and after the 2006 Oakland mayoral election. ONWRD’s Principles and Policy Proposals were read - and in some cases, endorsed by - Oakland’s mayoral candidates. The poll’s release informed media coverage of development issues during the election. Subsequent to the election, numerous ONWRD members participated in the Mayor Dellums’ Task Forces charged with providing innovative solutions to many pressing challenges and opportunities facing the City of Oakland. ONWRD’s Principles and Policy Proposals for Responsible Economic Development formed the basis for the recommendations of several task forces.
- Supported the development of campaigns and initiatives on development issues. The relationships built and strategies developed through ONWRD have helped incubate and support campaigns for affordable housing policies and industrial retention in Oakland.
- Developed a set of Principles on the Economic Stimulus (American Reinvestment Recovery Act of 2009) that urge elected city leaders to ensure a local recovery that is equitable and benefits people most in need, specifically low-income communities of color.
Organizations currently participating in ONWRD include:
ONWRD is staffed and convened by EBASE. For more information, please contact Kate O’Hara, Community Benefits Program Director at 510-893-7106, x29 or kate[at]workingeastbay.org.
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