EPA CAN DO

The Bay Area is widely known for a serious housing crisis with a lack of affordable housing, soaring rental prices, high home prices, and growing income inequality. There is a shortage of 160,000 homes, and only 23 affordable housing units are available for every 100 households from low-income communities.*

As an equitable-housing nonprofit, in the East Palo Alto area, EPA CAN DO tackles this housing crisis head-on by providing permanent, high-quality, affordable housing to low and moderate- income residents. For over 30 years, they have been developing affordable housing. Their portfolio includes more than 300 affordable housing units.

“Community Bank of the Bay truly supports the community, and that is seen in how they act as an organization.” Duane Bay, Executive Director at EPA Can Do.

The central goal of the Housing Program of EPA CAN DO is to create and maintain long-term affordable housing that improves the quality of life for the residents of East Palo Alto, CA. In addition to developing affordable housing, EPA CAN DO aims to improve the quality of life for the community by removing barriers to success for residents and neighbors and strengthening families through economic advancement programs and homeownership support.

For EPA CAN DO, providing the best possible experience for the community requires partnering with other organizations in line with their values.

“We bank with Community Bank of the Bay because we share values, and we express those values through doing real, practical work in the community,” said Duane Bay, EPA CAN DO’s Executive Director.

“Because of our values and our focus, [we’re] a signatory on the Anti Displacement Code of Conduct. CBB is the only signatory on the bank side, and we’re proud to be signatories on the community side. So [we] really appreciate CBB stepping up in that way.” (See why CBB signed the Anti-Displacement Code of Conduct here.)

We all do a better job of serving the community when we work together, and EPA CAN DO’s housing developments are a great example of organizations and neighbors working together.

“As a long-time East Palo Alto resident who was born and raised here, it is very important for me to see my own community, friends, and family to be able to stay in East Palo Alto and organizations like EPA Can Do really lead that work for us,” said Iliana Nicholas, ADU Program Manager at EPA CAN DO.

“We trust Community Bank of the Bay as our banking partner. They truly support the community, and that is seen in how they act as an organization,” said Duane Bay.

*According to the 2021 National Low Income Housing Coalition report