Priorities, Passion and Purpose
Surlene Grant desires, as the poem says, “to brighten her corner of the world.” Housing, environmental (in)justice, access and civil rights are just some of the issues and concerns that motivate her to do the work she does.
Ms. Grant’s passion and purpose is for creating social change and social impact through emphasis on community engagement and empowerment to address environmental and social (in)justice. She works to develop the shared vision and to define equitable solutions and mitigations. Her work has always been grounded in a mission of equity and inclusion.
Her focus is on housing, community development, transportation, infrastructure and environmental justice projects – often, the intersection of all.
Housing for Everyone
Expanding access to housing of all types, including affordable apartments, single-family homes and the “Missing Middle” — duplexes, triplexes and quadplexes.
Real Solutions for Homelessness: With more than 8,000 Alameda residents homeless, it’s clear what’s been done so far isn’t working. Alameda County must expand its shelter capacity, build tiny homes on available public land, and help all find a path toward permanent housing. This will mean investing in counselors and “navigators” who can help the unhoused get back on their feet, with the mental health care and resources they need, and placement into a good job and a permanent home.
Workforce Housing for Working People: Our school teachers, nurses, police officers and public servants deserve to be able to live in the same community they work. No one who serves our residents should have to commute from the Central Valley. Our county and partner jurisdictions should work together to build accessible workforce housing on publicly-owned lands.
Streamlining Permitting for ADUs, Duplexes & Affordable Housing: It shouldn’t take multiple years and miles of red tape to build a guest house, duplex or affordable apartment complex. Alameda County should partner with local jurisdictions to streamline the permitting process and create a one-stop-shop for those who want to do their part in resolving the housing crisis.
Protecting Renters & Low-Income Homeowners: Low-income families and seniors often fall through the cracks, targeted with eviction and foreclosures notices when times are tough. Alameda County should do its part to protect vulnerable renters and homeowners with rental assistance programs, mortgage protections and new affordable housing programs.
An Environment for Change
Protecting our environment by prioritizing renewable energy and nature conservation, creating more parks, and developing complete streets for better transit, walking and biking.
Fuel the Renewable Energy Transition: Climate change is already in progress and we need to do our part while also protecting local jobs. As Alameda County residents transition to East Bay Community Energy—100% renewable wind and solar—we need to work to bring renewable energy closer to home. This will ensure good jobs stay in our region. We also should work together to expand equitable access to charging stations so that workers who have to drive to work can do so without impacting our environment.
Build Complete Streets for Transit, Walkability & Biking: Some of our streets aren’t built for bikers, walkers and those who take public transit to work. This puts personal safety in jeopardy. We need to invest in bike lanes, bus lanes, safe sidewalks and trails to ensure all have access to exercise, reliable transportation and the opportunity to move around safely and choose a means of transportation other than their car if they want to.
Protect the Urban Limit Line & Be Smart with Transit-Oriented Infill: Urban sprawl threatens wildlife and leads to greater CO2 emissions that accelerate climate change and lower air quality. We must protect our pristine open spaces. But that doesn’t mean we should stop building housing. Our focus should be on transit-oriented infill development. Converting and repurposing unused or under-utilized industrial and commercial buildings into new uses, like housing connected to transit, will benefit us all.
Work with Communities to Expand Access to Parks & Shorelines: Study after study has proven the health and mental health benefits of park access. As we emerge from the oppressive restraints of the pandemic, we should identify new park sites and work regionally to protect our precious shorelines from rising tides.
Health & Safety for All
Promoting health and safety for all by establishing more effective mental health services, forming non-police responses to psychiatric and homeless emergencies, and ensuring public safety, transparency and accountability.
Launch 24/7 Alternative Responses to Mental Health & Homeless Calls: The County should partner with cities to offer emergency mental health services before calling in law enforcement. 24/7 alternative responses to non-violent 911 calls will prevent officer-involved shootings, lead to better outcomes for those in crisis and ensure our law enforcement officers can focus on what they’re trained for: preventing crime.
Provide Mental Health Services for All: We have an outdated system. Those with mental health issues are left without support or resources, leading to bad outcomes and full jails. Alameda County must go beyond 72-hour holds to offer preventive mental health services to all those who need it. This will help prevent homelessness, help lower crime and ensure all members of our community can thrive.
Ensure Government Accountability & Oversight: Every government official and employee should be held accountable, including the Sheriff. No one is above the law. That’s why Alameda County should implement a Sheriff Oversight Board and create an Office of the Inspector General—to ensure public trust in our law enforcement system.
Prioritize Community Health: The pandemic has shown the need to prevent poor health outcomes before they happen. Surlene will advocate for greater resources for prevention and preparation. That means planning for the inevitable outbreak and fueling community programs that prevent chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and asthma. This will save tax dollars in the long-run and, most importantly, save lives.