What If We Owned It Together? A Community Approach to Housing
Thursday, December 17, 2026, 6:00 PM PST – 8:30 PM PST
Original 40 Brewing Company · 3117 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104, USA
Hosted by Big Idea Night
For many of us, housing means rising costs, uncertain futures, and difficult choices about where we can build a life. We tend to think our options are renting or buying (if we can afford it). But there are other ways to organize who owns housing, how it stays affordable, and who gets to make decisions. Urban researcher and community advocate Dr. Josh Newton will introduce two alternatives to the rent/buy housing paradigm: community land trusts and limited equity housing cooperatives. These models are designed to preserve affordability over generations, create more accessible pathways to ownership, and give residents a meaningful voice in the places they call home. Drawing on his research and examples already taking shape in San Diego, Josh will explore how these approaches work, the possibilities and tradeoffs they present, and what it would take to help them grow. Come ready to discuss the housing challenges you see around you, imagine what community ownership could mean for your neighborhood, and explore practical ways to support a more affordable and democratic housing future. Venue: Original 40 Brewing Company in North Park. Doors open at 6. Talk begins at 7. Help support our host venue by arriving early to get a drink, something to eat, and meet fellow attendees. We'll have some interactive points of discussion out too. About the Speaker Dr. Josh Newton is a researcher in the Center for Housing and Neighborhoods in the Kinder Institute at Rice University and formerly a researcher/lecturer in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at UC San Diego. He is also co-founder of the San Diego Community Wealth Building Coalition, which supports and expands community land trusts and housing, worker, and food cooperatives across the region. His research explores housing insecurity, community development, and alternative ownership models, with a focus on how communities can build greater stability, equity, and decision-making power.
Agenda
Thu, Dec 17, 6:00 PM PST – 7:00 PM PST
Arrival & Connecting
Show up. Grab a drink and something to eat. Meet some new folks.
Thu, Dec 17, 7:00 PM PST – 8:00 PM PST
Talk & Discussion
The talk and discussion facilitated by our speaker
Thu, Dec 17, 8:00 PM PST – 9:00 PM PST
Additional Discussion & Connecting
There's always a good group of folks that stick around until they kick us out. ;)