SV@Home is proud to announce the launch of the first-ever Brick by Brick Fellowship, a 10-month program designed for early-career professionals from low-income backgrounds and communities of color who are beginning their journey in the affordable housing field. We’re proud to partner with Destination: Home on the roll-out of this fellowship. Our shared vision is clear: to build a housing system where leadership reflects the diversity of Silicon Valley.

The inaugural cohort brings together 10 staff from community-based organizations across Santa Clara County who are eager to strengthen their professional skills, grow as leaders, and advance housing justice.

Day One:

From the start, fellows dove into both lighthearted and challenging conversations about their own experiences and how they’ve been shaped by our housing crisis. The day included:

• Orientation to the months ahead, including our new partnership with Destination: Home.
  Resiliency training with certified life coach Maria Javier-Rosales, focused on self-care and avoiding burnout—a core component of the fellowship curriculum.
• Foundations of Affordable Housing, presented by SV@Home’s Director of Policy, Alison Cingolani, giving fellows the tools to understand, explain, and advocate for affordable housing.

The energy in the room was undeniable. Fellows showed up with curiosity, openness, and passion which set the stage for a powerful year ahead.

What’s Next

Next month, the cohort will explore affordable housing production, continue practicing leadership and resiliency skills, and even tour a local affordable housing community. We’re excited to walk alongside this first Brick by Brick cohort as they grow their skills, strengthen their networks, and bring fresh leadership into the movement. 

The Brick by Brick Fellowship program is designed for early-career professionals who come from low-income backgrounds and/or communities of color that are just starting their journey to the affordable housing field in our region. SV@Home envisions transforming our housing system by ensuring that the makeup of leadership in the affordable housing ecosystem is reflective of the diversity of our region.