Jocelyn’s House

In April of 2021, Jocelyn Foreman, a Berkeley Unified School District Family Liaison, became the first renter in California to purchase her home under the new state law SB 1079. This law was introduced by Sen. Nancy Skinner to curb pandemic profiteering from foreclosure auctions. It allows tenants and other potential homeowners a 45-day window to match or exceed a winning bid at a foreclosure auction.

Neighborhood: City of Pinole, Contra Costa County

Category: Single-Family Home

Building: 1 single-story house with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, eight total rooms plus a garage

Year Built: 1972

Jocelyn's house was sold at an auction for $600,000 to Wedgewood, Inc., a company known for creating artificial housing scarcity. But with relentless determination and community support, Jocelyn matched the winning bid, marking the first successful purchase under SB 1079.

To gather such a large sum in just 45 days, Jocelyn relied on her community, fundraising efforts, and a partnership with the Northern California Land Trust (NCLT). The NCLT will help convert the property into permanently affordable housing. The National Housing Trust also played a crucial role by providing intermediate bridge financing.

Fundraising for Jocelyn's cause included contributions from nearly 1000 individual donors online, sponsored by the Berkeley Public Schools Fund, along with grants from the Fund for an Inclusive California at Common Counsel Foundation and the Kataly Foundation. These funds will not only secure the house but also cover needed repairs, making the home more affordable for Jocelyn in the long run.

However, not all tenants have access to this level of support, which is why the California Community Land Trust Network (CCLTN) is advocating for SB 1079 funding. CCLTN is a coalition of over 30 community land trusts across California fighting for a minimum investment of $103.5 million to allow land trusts and allied groups to buy homes in foreclosure, thereby making homes accessible for communities rather than corporations.

Jocelyn's achievement is a testament to SB 1079's potential to prevent homelessness due to foreclosure. However, for this law to serve its purpose fully, there is an urgent need for acquisition funding. The success of Jocelyn Foreman's case highlights the importance of community support and innovative partnerships in transforming housing accessibility.