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ELIMINATING EXCLUSIONARY ZONING OUR GOAL We will eliminate exclusionary zoning and segregation in San Diego by passing intentional, community-led policies that will advance inclusive, equitable, and sustainable housing practices in the city. We will organize a coalition of value-aligned organizations and individuals who advocate for and shape policies that will dismantle historically segregationist zoning policies in the city of San Diego. Eliminating segregation will require unraveling the fundamentally unjust and exclusionary practices built into our housing policies. We must take ownership over the reshaping of our future. OUR PLAN We will begin working towards our goal by eliminating minimum lot sizes in single-unit residential zoned areas across the city. Minimum lot sizes were created to exclude residents by driving up housing prices through land cost, and it still accomplishes this segregationist goal today. This policy also contributes to environmentally damaging sprawl and growing burden on city resources. The impacts of this policy lead to consequences that cause disproportionate harm to non-white, under resourced, and historically marginalized communities. We want to see community-informed policy to eliminate minimum lot size and related development restrictions like minimum lot dimensions and maximum floor area ratios. OUR TIME TO ACT We must act now to eliminate minimum lot size and reshape single-unit residential zones. Single-unit residential zoning was created to preserve and continue segregation, and still makes up 81% of our residentially zoned land in San Diego. Eliminating minimum lot size in these zones is an essential first step to reduce the harms these policies were implemented to create. It will finally allow for the creation of denser, more diverse for-sale housing in our city. While new homes may still be expensive, a recent study found the policy has the potential to reduce average new-sale townhome prices by up to 40% . Newer, more attainable housing also serves to reduce the cost-pressure of older homes, making them more affordable for first-time homebuyers. In the face of major budget deficits, the reports also found it could significantly increase property tax revenue needed to support our city's growing needs. HOUSING SEGREGATION A TIMELINE First recorded racial covenant 1843 1910 First racial-zoning ordinance First single-unit only residential zoning ordinance 1916 1917 Buchanan v. Warley rules racial-zoning unconstitutional San Diego adopts single-unit only residential zoning ordinance 1923 1926 Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co. rules single-unit only zoning constitutional Corrigan v. Buckley upheld racial covenants 1926 1934 Federal Housing Administration adopts red-lined maps Second Great Migration of Black Americans begins 1940 1948 Shelley v. Kramer rules racial covenants unconstitutional Fair Housing Act passes making racially explicit forms of housing discrimination illegal 1968 1970 From 1940 to 1970 the percentage of municipalities with minimum lot size restrictions grows from 20% to 79% 94% of municipalities have minimum lot size restrictions 2019 2019 Berkeley researchers find 81% of municipalities are more segregated in 2019 than they were in 1990 San Diego will eliminate minimum lot size restrictions 2026 Get Involved Canvassing Actions Share the Knowledge Join Us. Eliminating minimum lot size is only a first step, and it is long overdue. San Diego must act swiftly and intentionally to eliminate policies preserving severe racial and class segregation in our city. We are fighting century old exclusionary policies, and we can't do it alone. We need you to join us in the fight to eliminate segregation. Schedule a Housing Chat San Diego Perspectives We canvassed all nine council districts of the City of San Diego to administer a survey on housing and minimum lot sizes. This survey identified the perspectives and considerations of San Diego residents regarding their housing, neighborhoods, and the future of the city. We knocked on 3,528 doors and received 319 responses from across the City. Check out the numerical results by hitting the button! 1/11 Canvassing Results Take Action! We can't win this fight alone, join us! You can take action by joining us at one of our upcoming meetings or events! Events Interest Form 1/7 Knowledge is power! Housing policy is incredibly complicated, but it doesn't need to be. Its complexity has long served to leave the most impacted stakeholders out of the conversation, but that ends now. Wealthy homeowners have the funds and resources to hire lawyers, complicate and block housing, and play victim. We have facts and a drive for justice. By organizing our community for justice we build people power. By learning the facts and sharing the truth of our past and present far and wide, we build the power of knowledge. Use the links to share this information in PDF form with your friends, family, and neighbors. We won't let convoluted policy hide the racism and classism of our exclusionary zoning code anymore. Minimum Lot Size Fact Sheet History Fact Sheet

The Civic Youth Action Network (CYAN) is a community hub for youth organizing, giving power to youth as leaders for direct action on the housing crisis. Become a Changemaker. Ever wonder why our systems never seem to change? How we go about pushing for change is just as important as why . Community organizing is one of the only ways to build enough power to challenge — and win — against the status quo. And we have a severe need for youth organizing in our local communities . "We are living now inside the imagination of people who thought economic disparity and environmental destruction were acceptable costs for their power. It is our right and responsibility to write ourselves into the future. All organizing is science fiction." - adrienne maree brown, Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds What is CYAN ? The CIVIC YOUTH ACTION NETWORK is a network of youth-led and youth-serving organizations, teams, and leaders committed to training and resourcing grassroots youth organizers for system-level changes that foster a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. Joining CYAN is a commitment to collaborative learning and teaching for and by youth leaders. As a youth-founded, youth-led nonprofit, Our Time To Act has grown and evolved at the pace of our lessons learned. We have had incredible intergenerational mentors and powerful youth leaders to help us along our journey. CYAN is a means of sharing the wealth of knowledge San Diego has to offer. Together we will provide trainings, teach and practice critical skills, and support our collective work for a better future. We need more youth activists and organizers. Most adult-led youth programs have small cohorts, focus on specific skills, or fail to address the systems that disadvantage us in the first place. At the same time, many youth-led groups, at no fault of their own, lack the resources and networks to harness the power of collective action. We want to transform the field of youth-led organizing. We want to eradicate the disillusionment, disengagement, and disempowerment we experience as youth. For that, we need you. CYAN Interest Form Definitions from Oxford Languages COM•MU•NI•TY OR•GAN•IZ•ING noun NORTH AMERICAN the coordination of cooperative efforts and campaigning carried out by local residents to promote the interests of their community. "San Diego's youth engaged in community organizing to address housing insecurity and create a better future." LEARN CYAN members gain access to trainings and workshops that teach you how to organize, mobilize, network, give public comment, analyze policy, fundraise, network, and so much more. The overwhelming majority of learning is youth-to-youth. We invite members of CYAN to create and facilitate their own trainings and workshops to expand the breadth of knowledge shared within our network. We promise we’ll learn just as much from you as you from us. CREATE CHANGE Member-led collective action campaigns open opportunities in activism and leadership for youth to apply learned skills to better our future. Housing, transportation, social and racial justice, climate action, and inclusive governance all require systems-level change. Members will have the opportunity to share their ongoing changemaking campaigns with the network to gain support and facilitate collective action. FIND COMMUNITY Perhaps the most cherished part of CYAN is the close community it fosters. There’s something unparalleled about fighting for change together, and it forges strong relationships that are fun, unique, and powerful. Members of CYAN will support one another's learning and changemaking journeys. The best lessons don't always have to be learned the hard way. Our future will be filled with joy, laughter, and shoulders to cry on. C IVIC Y OUTH A CTION N ETWORK The CIVIC YOUTH ACTION NETWORK is a network of youth-led and youth-serving organizations, teams, and leaders committed to training and resourcing grassroots youth organizers for system-level changes that foster a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. . " Youth can breach the political realm — they just need knowledge and community." – Ken Fesler, Board Director at Our Time To Act STAY IN TOUCH subscribe to newsletter @ottaunited @our time to act united

How we go about pushing for change is just as important as why. Community organizing is one of the only ways to build enough power to challenge — and win — against the status quo. And we have a severe need for youth organizing in our local communities.

Our Time To Act is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizing powerful youth for an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. Join the fight to eliminate exclusionary zoning in San Diego READ MORE WE BELIEVE IN OUR MISSION The future is not something that just happens. It is created with intention, either by the status quo or by the people who dream of something better. Our society is suffering because we — future-shaping youth and youth allies — need more power to solve society's most existential problems: housing unaffordability, lack of public transportation, neighborhood segregation, the climate crisis and environmental injustice; inequality of outcomes perpetuating injustice by class, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, ability, and more. Our mission is to build the power we need to make our dreams reality. We organize powerful youth for an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. Will you join us in forging this ambitious, better future for us and the generations to come? ABOUT US Donate You power our work. Be a change-maker and help us advance our mission. DONATE Youth own the future. We're shaping it now. NAVIGATE TO: GOAT Model Events Support Us OUR STRATEGY Our GOAT change-making model Our Time To Act's dynamic approach to change-making is our "GOAT" Change-Making Model, which encompasses grassroots organizing, advocacy, and training programs. Rooted in the Trifecta Model for Youth Empowerment, we strive to foster a virtuous cycle of adaptation, opportunity, problem-solving, and impact. GOAT IN ACTION VIEW THE TEAM Grassroots Organizing Building power by building capacity for the cause; relationships between ordinary people that inspire and facilitate transformative changemaking. SCHEDULE A 1:1 HOST A HOUSING CHAT VOLUNTEER WITH US RESEARCH ADVOCACY Advocacy and Research Advocacy is a policy-based change-making using a small, well-trained team of advocates. Research and public input are critical to effective advocacy. Trainings and Workshops Trainings help youth and our community claim our power by growing our network, skills, and resources to be impactful leaders. SCHEDULE A TRAINING GOAT Change-Making Model A COLLECTIVE EFFORT Be Part of the Team If you resonate with your mission or are interested in making an impact, consider joining the OTTA family by applying as a staff or board member! You can learn more about who's on the team here. JOIN THE TEAM FUND A DIFFERENCE Support the Work The biggest bottleneck in accomplishing our goals are funds. Right now, we work completely on a volunteer basis. Help donate today to rise money for resources and labor, enabling youth to make their voices heard. DONATE YOU'RE INVITED TO Upcoming Events Your chance get involved is right around the corner. With many events coming up, this is your opportunity to learn more about us, become involved in your community, and expand your network. Join us for our Third Annual Gala! Our Time To Act proudly presents our Third Annual Gala: Envisioning Home. Come support our youth organizing and power building work! BUY TICKETS! View our Past Events Our past events stand as milestones in our mission to create a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. Each event was a unique chapter in our journey, bringing together passionate individuals, inspiring discussions, and unforgettable moments. VIEW MORE Events STAY CONNECTED Make a Change The biggest bottleneck in accomplishing our goals are funds. Right now, we work completely on a volunteer basis. Help donate today to raise money for resources and labor, enabling youth to make their voices heard. Supprort Us Become a Member Join our community as a paying member to enjoy exclusive benefits, network with like-minded individuals, and be a driving force behind our work. Join Today Volunteer Roll up your sleeves and get involved directly in our initiatives. Your time and skills are invaluable in creating a tangible impact on the ground. Sign Up Donate Your contributions fuel our efforts and drive our projects forward. Your financial support ensures we can continue working toward a better future. Donate Today WE HAVE FUTURE PLANS Stay Updated By staying updated, you become an integral part of our mission. Your awareness and engagement contribute to positive change in the world. Here, you'll also discover the incredible impact our community and supporters are making as well as a behind-the-scenes look at our projects, initiatives, and events. Our Newsletter Our newsletter is your gateway to an exclusive world of updates, insights, and inspiring stories. Join our ever-growing community of newsletter subscribers and keep your finger on the pulse of all things happening at Our Time To Act! SUBSCRIBE Press Releases COMMUNITY FEEDBACK We Value Your Opinion We believe that the most valuable insights come directly from our community. Whether you have a question, a brilliant idea, or constructive criticism, we're eager to hear it all. Feedback Form SUBMIT Thanks for submitting!

< Back Thank you to those who made it out to our API & Youth Voter Engagement Community Kickoff! Saturday, April 16, 2022 Sparky Mitra, Voter Engagement Project Manager Next Previous

< Back Aidan Lin, Executive Director, awarded "2022 Community Service Award" from SD Pride Thursday, June 30, 2022 Our Time to Act United Our Time to Act United is pleased to announce that our Executive Director, Aidan Lin, has been awarded the 2022 Spirit of Stonewall Community Service Award from San Diego Pride. Aidan has been honored for his work with OTTA United in the City of San Diego's 2020-21 redistricting process where he sought to uplift the many diverse groups of San Diego—including the LGBTQIA+ community. Aidan shares his sentiment of Pride: Pride is a celebration, but it is also a powerful demonstration of collective power and collective action. It is a demonstration of a world where love always prevails over hate, where pain is soothed by community, and where diversity is our strength. That is why Pride means so much to me, and why I am honored to receive the 2022 Spirit of Stonewall “Community Service Award” from San Diego Pride. Please join me, Our Time to Act United, and our wonderful community in marching in the Pride Parade on July 16th. Join Aidan Lin, OTTA United, and the San Diego community in marching in the Pride Parade on June 16th at 9am! Sign up to march with OTTA's contingent here . sdpride.org Community Service Award Community Service: An individual who is recognized as an up-and-coming leader within the LGBTQ community or whose contribution to the community in the past year was of particular significance. Next Previous

Abbey currently works for Supervisor Nathan Fletcher at the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors as a Policy Associate for land use and environment as well as youth issues. She previously served for a year and a half as a Community Representative for Supervisor Fletcher. Her other experiences include working with the San Diego City Council as a Management Intern in District 7 and serving as the Associate Vice President of Local Affairs in student government at UC San Diego. Abbey had also previously served as the Advocacy Director for Our Time to Act United and was thrilled to continue working with this amazing team as a board member. She is passionate about creating positive change for our society, especially for youth. In her free time, she lives to do sewing projects and read. < Back Abbey Reuter Vice President, External Affairs Abbey currently works for Supervisor Nathan Fletcher at the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors as a Policy Associate for land use and environment as well as youth issues. She previously served for a year and a half as a Community Representative for Supervisor Fletcher. Her other experiences include working with the San Diego City Council as a Management Intern in District 7 and serving as the Associate Vice President of Local Affairs in student government at UC San Diego. Abbey had also previously served as the Advocacy Director for Our Time to Act United and was thrilled to continue working with this amazing team as a board member. She is passionate about creating positive change for our society, especially for youth. In her free time, she lives to do sewing projects and read. abbey.reuter@ourtimetoact.org

< Back New year, new faces. Meet some of the new leaders of our organization Saturday, January 9, 2021 Our Time to Act United Happy New Year and Welcome to 2021! Our Time To Act United is very much looking forward to another year of youth empowerment and working together to positively impact our communities. As we usher in a new year, we are also ushering in a new team. First we’d like to welcome our newest members of the Board, starting with Iris Leung as President and Ria Maheshwari as Vice President. Ms. Leung and Ms. Maheshwari did an extraordinary job last year leading the staff through a myriad of successes as Executive Director and Assistant Executive Director, respectively. Our Time To Act United is incredibly honored to welcome them to the board, and we have full confidence they will make 2021 an outstanding year for this organization. We’d also like to give a warm welcome to Anna Pierce, who will be a wonderful addition to the Strategy and Risk Committee. Congratulations to our new committee chairs: Allison Park as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance and Development Committee and Janice Park as Chair of the Strategy and Risk Committee. Thank you to all other board members as they continue to diligently serve Our Time To Act United. With the new year, we also have the pleasure of welcoming our new staff. Our Executive Director, Aidan Lin, is leading the staff this year. Mr. Lin has previously served as President of Our Time To Act United, and he is more than qualified for the job with the hard work and dedication he has shown throughout his years working with us. Another addition to the team is our Associate Executive Director, Ken Fesler. We know he’ll do a phenomenal job assisting Mr. Lin and leading the team. Our staff team currently consists of three members; Andrew Park, Apurv Gupta, and Suniska Patel will be working with us in 2021. Thank you for your continued support of Our Time To Act United. We look forward to the coming year! Next Previous

Jordan (he/him/his) was once a football player with a love for basketball and now is a die-hard Celtics fan. Jordan is a proud Samoan, Black, and Mexican man who's turned past challenges into a powerful journey of growth. He is dedicated to making a positive impact and inspiring others, now serving as a Housing Justice Organizer. < Back Jordan Koster Housing Justice Organizer Jordan (he/him/his) was once a football player with a love for basketball and now is a die-hard Celtics fan. Jordan is a proud Samoan, Black, and Mexican man who's turned past challenges into a powerful journey of growth. He is dedicated to making a positive impact and inspiring others, now serving as a Housing Justice Organizer. jordan.koster@ourtimetoact.org

< Back Two young leaders, Nicole Lillie and Yvania Rubio, take new leadership roles on staff team Tuesday, January 17, 2023 Aidan Lin, Executive Director In the new year, we at Our Time to Act (OTTA) United are proud to announce two brand new positions in our staff team: Housing Projects Director and Director of Organizing . These positions represent the trailblazing work we are doing to advance housing solutions for youth and the broader San Diego community and the intentional focus on organizing youth that our mission calls for. Joining us in these new roles are renowned youth leaders and previous OTTA United staff members Nicole Lillie and Yvania Rubio, respectively. Nicole Lillie (she/her) served as the Project Director for OTTA United’s Youth Voter Engagement Project in the 2022 election. As a high school student, Ms. Lillie got her start in advocacy and voter engagement by organizing multiple voter registration drives at her high school. She also built up her school’s Rotary Interact Club as President for three years. She has demonstrated remarkable leadership capability both within and outside of OTTA United, engaging with thousands of youth and championing the cause of youth participation in politics. In her new role as Housing Projects Director, Ms. Lillie will work to organize and engage youth in local housing solutions, with a specific emphasis on Community Planning Groups and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in San Diego. Yvania Rubio (she/her/élla) worked alongside Ms. Lillie in OTTA United’s Youth Voter Engagement Project. She currently serves as a Youth Commissioner for the City of San Diego, and recently completed internships with Youth Will and the Live Well Youth Sector at the County of San Diego. During her time at OTTA United and in our community, Ms. Rubio demonstrated an incredible talent for building relationships with youth and policymakers, sharing her own lived experiences as a source of empowerment, and being a strong advocate for her own communities and those around her. As Director of Organizing, Ms. Rubio will drive bold change in local and regional communities that places more power in the hands of youth for an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. She will lead OTTA United’s organizing strategy, support new and capable youth leaders, and deepen our relationships with the broader communities we serve. We have immense confidence in these two young leaders, and we look forward to working with them in their new roles to expand OTTA United’s reach, impact, and advancement of our mission. Next Previous

< Back Press Conference and Rally: The University Community is Pro-Housing Saturday, March 11, 2023 Our Time to Act United Media Contact: Aidan Lin, Our Time to Act United aidan.lin@ottaunited.org On March 11, nonprofit Our Time To Act United (OTTA United) hosted a rally and press conference to support more housing in the University Community Plan Update. San Diego is in a housing and climate crisis. We need more mixed-use, multi-family, high-density housing, paired with employment and transit, to tackle both issues at once. “The housing crisis is an intersectional issue that affects our entire community. Solving the housing crisis means changing the way we develop our land to encourage high-density development that realistically plans for our future,” said Nicole Lillie, Housing Projects Director at Our Time to Act United. “Housing is a human right, it's time we start enacting policies and pursuing strategies that will actually achieve providing it." "The vibrancy of the University area will be destroyed if people of all stages of life can't afford to live here,” said Rachel Graham, Housing and Transit Advocate. “Lack of housing means that young adults can't stay in the neighborhood where they grew up. A lack of housing means that seniors must choose between downsizing and remaining in their community. No one should have to leave an area because they can't afford it." "We must take a holistic approach to solving the ongoing climate and housing crises concurrently,” said Mikey Knab, Policy Director at Climate Action Campaign. “I hope we can all agree that at the bare minimum everyone deserves affordable housing in close proximity to safe, reliable public transportation, good schools, family sustaining jobs, grocery stores, and green open spaces." "As young people advocating for housing, we are aware that we may not reap the benefits of our efforts soon, but we aren't working and organizing for ourselves, we are planning for our future community members that wish to have an affordable home as they serve San Diego as powerful community leaders and trailblazers," said Yvania Rubio, Student at UC San Diego. Rally attendees called upon the local community planning group, planning commission, and city council to support a Plan Update that allows for the most density in accordance with the Planning Department's smart growth principles. They also asked the broader San Diego community to come support housing across the city. The University Community is not the only one that needs more housing—we need it across all highest resource areas in San Diego. Next Previous

< Back to Open Positions Assistant Director of Policy and Action Volunteer San Diego and/or Remote APPLY Rolling application. Priority given to applications submitted before September 30th. ABOUT THE ROLE The Assistant Director of Policy and Action works within the advocacy branch, with a focus on current legislative activity. They are responsible for coordination between Youth Advocates, Policy Analysts, and the Director of Advocacy, ensuring efficient analysis and action on legislation that affects youth. REQUIREMENTS Prior relevant experience preferred. Demonstrates ability to identify and pursue potential policy areas for action. Exemplifies strong leadership qualities. High school student or beyond. 8-10 hours, 2-3 meetings a week. Our scheduling is highly flexible. Values cooperation, creativity, growth-mindset. Exhibits organization, diligence, and dedication. Passion for youth empowerment. ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION While pursuing our mission of youth empowerment, Our Time to Act United understands the importance of fostering a safe, welcoming, and positive environment for all. As such, the actions we take align with our values as an organization and as individuals. We value meaningful impact. We always seek to genuinely support those that we serve and the people within our organization. We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse group of people. These values are reflected in our hiring practices, decision-making, and programs. Our team and organization is growth-minded and development-focused. We always have room to improve! Our organization promotes honesty, communication, and integrity. These values allow for us to be a cooperative, productive, and effective team. We praise creativity and ingenuity. Nothing is more exciting than thinking outside of the box or challenging the status quo. Applications are a two-way street. We make our values as an organization clear to you in order to make sure our team is the right fit—and we hope we are! Do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions regarding our organization, values, workplace environment, or the application process. APPLY