Alma Affordable Housing Project

A Study in Collaborative Leadership

Dr. Frank Benestfrank@frankbenest.comwww.frankbenest.com

Palo Alto Case Study

The Situation Palo Alto has become unaffordable, elite

community Council had established goal of promoting

affordable housing Frank had personal goal & passion for creating

very low-income family housing & promoting more balance & equity in community

What was typical reaction in Palo Alto to creating very-low income rental housing for families?

This was classic adaptive challenge

Palo Alto Case Study Listen to case study as it unfolds Note & jot down key elements of

the collaborative leadership process

Palo Alto Case Study

Alma Street Affordable Housing Project

Street Electrical Substation in downtown across from train station

Use city-owned land to create low-income family project

Engage Community Working Group (faith-based advocacy group) and Eden Housing, Inc. (non-profit developer) as partners

Palo Alto Case Study

Palo Alto Case Study

Palo Alto Case Study

The Problems1. Stanford wanted $1.5 M to lease land for

new substation2. General Fund would lose $1 M/yr in lease

revenue3. Two key Council Members had conflicts4. Site abutted newly-built million-dollar

condos5. Site was constrained; adjoining parcels

were expensive

Palo Alto Case Study

Palo Alto Case Study

Palo Alto Case Study

Palo Alto Case Study The “Team” Disparate group No commitment, little energy Over time, struggled to overcome

obstacles, find solutions together Everyone made contribution

Palo Alto Case Study

Leadership Solutions Provided Stanford $1.5 M housing fee

credit Negotiated $1 M contribution to General

Fund from adjoining condo developer Purchased auto shop site with in-lieu

funds from other developer Created new non-profit entity not

involving Council Members

Palo Alto Case Study

Leadership Solutions Swapped ownership interest with

hardware and office owners to create mixed-use project

Engaged neighbors through Community Working Group

Project now included low-income family rentals over hardware store and low-income senior units over office and services

Palo Alto Case Study

Palo Alto Case Study

Palo Alto Case Study

Palo Alto Case Study

Palo Alto Case Study

Palo Alto Case Study

Palo Alto Case Study

What collaborative leadership approaches did you discern from the case study?

Courage

Palo Alto Case Study

What happened? What was Frank’s reaction?

Different Leadership Roles Convener and

conversation starter

Translator Story teller and

framer of issues Dream-maker Journey leader

Engager Follower Teacher Learner Cheerleader Party host

Resources Review packet materials Books on promoting creative

thinking Frans Johansson, The Medici

Effect, 2004

Resources (con’t)

Cal-ICMA Coaching Program Webinars www.cal-icma.org/coaching

One-to-one coaching match-ups Women Leading Govt Career Compass advice columns

“Bouncing Back From Defeat”“Selling Your Ideas”“Smart Risks”www.frankbenest.com

Reaction Panel

What resonated with you?

What did not?

What do you have to add?

frank@frankbenest.comeveretted@comcast.net