A decent, safe, and secure home is a basic human right. It is our shared responsibility to make sure that this basic resource is attainable for all citizens; it is not enough to leave it in the hands of a profit-driven market.

People deserve real opportunities to shape the future of their communities in collaboration with their neighbors, especially amongst neighbors who have been historically shut out of economic prosperity and/or positions of power.

Gentrification is inherently unjust; development can and should be done in a way that invests in people, in place, over profit.

We CAN achieve better and more equitable development without sacrificing other essential public goods and services. With better policies, we CAN secure enough public resources to robustly fund housing, job creation, education, social services, recreation, and safety for our citizens.

The privatization of public resources is unacceptable. Public land and big public incentives for development belong to the taxpayers and exist for the public good; they must benefit us collectively, and not simply bring gain to our wealthiest community members.

There is deep value in the social and cultural histories of communities, especially those on the margins of power. Worthwhile solutions must be driven by the wisdom and expertise of those who have long struggled against oppression.

Legitimate claims to place and community are earned in various ways beyond ownership of private property. The basic dignity of human existence, connection to land, strength of social ties, participation in public life, richness of cultural tradition, moral integrity—these factors must be considered in our recognition of authority over the spaces in which we live.