Especially good talk: Don Weden at Housing Action Coalition Meeting

Our guest this month is Don Weden, retired planner of 30 years with Santa Clara County and now one of the Valley's planning oracles.  Many of you remember several presentations Don has provided to the HAC, the latest of which centered on planning for our aging communities entitled Cities for All Ages.As 2011 comes to an end and we naturally start to think about New Year's resolutions, Don will challenge us to think deeply about the strategy and effectiveness of housing and land use advocates.  Don was a founder of the Housing Action Coalition and with his strong planning credentials, is in a unique position to offer thought provoking critiques about how we advocate for quality neighborhoods, affordable housing and more generally, the steps needed to respond to a changing world.  Are land use and housing advocates doing a good job conveying the need for change?  Are the strategies we use working?  Are we reaching key decision makers?   If the answer is no, why not and what is a better approach?  Don will help us think through these questions so that ultimately, the HAC and those who are dedicated to making sure that all have shelter, can be more successful at building a healthy and complete built environment.  Information about the meeting is available here: http://hacscc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/December-HAC-Flyer.pdf