Sonoma Valley Commons, a newly formed local nonprofit, is jumping into the housing fight with a straightforward goal: buy and preserve small homes and speed up accessory dwelling units so local workers and families can actually stay in the valley. Organizers formally introduced the group at last Thursday's “Meet Sonoma Valley Commons” event at the historic Ray Adobe, where they said they have already filed articles of incorporation and held an initial board meeting.
As outlined by Sonoma Valley Collaborative, the Commons grew out of a Housing Affordability Roadmap that recommended creating a community development corporation to bridge the gap between one-off ADUs and large nonprofit developers. The Collaborative has been working with partners, including The Future Collective and local volunteers, to shape an initial business plan and a strategy for acquisitions, preservation, and technical assistance.
What the Commons Plans To Do
According to The Sonoma Index‑Tribune, the Commons is setting some ambitious three-year targets. The group aims to preserve roughly 8 to 18 homes through acquisition, push a larger affordable-apartment project into the planning pipeline, and help launch or complete 30 to 50 ADUs by running an “ADU accelerator” that offers free permitting and design advice.
Organizers told the paper they have already identified 51 four‑to‑nine‑unit buildings as potential candidates for preservation. They are also hoping to raise about $1,000,000 by the end of the year to seed early acquisitions and pay for technical assistance.
Launch Event And Local Reaction
Dozens of Sonoma Valley residents turned out to the June 11 meet‑and‑greet at the Ray Adobe, where organizers walked through the Commons’ game plan and fielded pointed questions about property acquisitions and tenant protections. Julian Mackie, introduced as the Commons’ executive director, told the crowd that it’s about creating a portfolio that we as a community collectively own, and said organizers want that portfolio to feed into supporting the people who live here, work here, as reported by The Sonoma Index‑Tribune.
Who Is On The Board And How It Gets Paid For
Organizers say the Commons’ board includes Donna Dambach (president), Josh Dickinson (secretary), Rich Wallach (treasurer), and board members Janet Connors, Robin Stefani and Darryl Berlin. Josh Dickinson is the owner and broker of Zip Code Sonoma, according to Zip Code Sonoma, and Rich Wallach is listed as Senior Director of Housing Finance & Business Development at Burbank Housing, per Burbank Housing.
The Commons says it plans to combine philanthropy, small-scale acquisitions and partnerships with local nonprofits as its core financing strategy to preserve affordability.
Why This Could Matter
Sonoma Valley Collaborative has warned that the valley is short thousands of homes and that many renters are cost-burdened, which organizers describe as the main rationale for creating a local CDC-style organization. The Commons is being framed as a locally rooted tool to buy at-risk properties and create lower-cost housing options within already developed neighborhoods, according to Sonoma Valley Collaborative.
What’s Next
In the coming months, the group plans to focus on targeted fundraising and community outreach it begin making small acquisitions and roll out its ADU accelerator for homeowners ready to add rental units. Organizers say updates on projects, board meetings and ways to support the effort will be shared by the Commons and its partners as the organization moves from formation into its first round of acquisitions.
