A two-day program to discuss San Mateo County's future housing needs is taking place at Canada College in Woodside this weekend.

The Countywide Assembly on Housing Choices features 400 county residents discussing housing choices and plans with experts, according to program host Threshold 2008. The participants are a randomly selected group of people who form a "microcosm of the county."

Small groups and large discussion sessions are focusing on how to meet the region's future housing needs.

"The value to decision-makers is the opportunity to hear a cross-section of the county population speaking in their own voices outside of the formal public process," Threshold 2008 Executive Director Greg Greenway said in a statement. "The goal of the weekend is to learn what kinds of housing options people are willing to accept and support if they are given a chance to become informed on the issues."

The program runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the Main Theater of Building 3 at Canada College.

Threshold 2008 was formed to engage the public on housing issues in the county to ensure better quality of life for residents who are affected by housing choices in the region.

— Bay City News Service

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