Valerie Coleman is an urban planner with over 10 years’ experience working in housing, project management, and community development, with a particular passion for ensuring accessible and inclusive communities. Previous jobs include project managing renovation projects, developing community-based grant programs, managing San Francisco’s citywide age- and disability-friendly initiative and is currently managing innovative state funding with MTC. Outside of work, she is deeply committed to advancing supportive housing policies that specifically support older adults and people with disabilities, which has ranged from advocacy, advising agencies, small business development, state level policy, and research. She’s looking forward to sharing her soapbox with a new group of passionate housers and building a future where seniors (or people with disabilities) aren’t the fastest growing homeless population. Valerie lives in South Berkeley with her partner and small humans and when not working or brainstorming around senior housing, can be found at the library, in her garden, or sewing another ill-fitting garment.