As part of its mission to educate the campus community about affordable housing issues, members of the Cal Habitat for Humanity campus chapter are facilitating a DeCal on iSsues in Affordable Housing.

This student-led course will examine why there is a need for decent and affordable housing and what the public and private sectors are doing to address this need. The course will feature weekly guest speakers from academia, government, and non-profit organizations who will share with students their perspectives on housing. Students will participate in discussions and group activities to further reflect on the material presented by lecturers.

Topics include housing segregation, gentrification, public policy, community and economic development, homelessness, health and housing, land use and housing planning, green building, privatization of housing, and more. In addition, a fieldwork component will give students the opportunity to take action by building Habitat for Humanity homes or volunteering for an affordable housing organization.

Course Requirements:

Attendance:
● Attendance is mandatory. More than 2 unexcused absences will result in a “No Pass” grade.
● Active participation during discussions will make for more lively and engaging classes!

Homework:
● Online responses are assigned each week and are based on the lecture given by that week’s guest speaker. Homework will be graded on effort - pass/fail.
● Short readings/articles, in addition to lectures, will be provided throughout the semester to help supplement in-class discussions.

Final Project (due on the final day of class):
● A final project will be assigned as a small group research project with a 5-10 minute presentation. More details will be discussed later in the semester.

Field Work:
● Volunteer service with an approved housing-related organization.
● Two workdays (fundraising, soup kitchen, local or east bay workdays) with Cal Habitat for Humanity fulfills this requirement. These hours can also be fulfilled with participation in any Cal Habitat activity (including committee meetings and general meetings).
● Two 1-page double-spaced reflection pair on your volunteer experience, which includes a brief
summary of tasks accomplished, what you learned, and the significance of the organization in the context of affordable housing.

First come, first serve. All welcome and will accommodate! No application! Email nascencio@berkeley.edu for information or fill out this very short Google form for a quicker response!