Street Level Advisors
Street Level Advisors is an Oakland-based strategy and innovation firm founded in 2012 by Rick Jacobus. It consults for municipal governments, nonprofits, and foundations on inclusionary housing, shared equity homeownership, and equitable urban development, supported by interactive analytical tools.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersOakland, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Street Level Advisors does
Street Level Advisors LLC is a strategy and innovation firm founded in 2012 by Principal Rick Jacobus and headquartered in Oakland, California. The firm works with local and regional government agencies, nonprofit housing organizations, community development corporations, and philanthropic foundations to design, implement, and evaluate policies for equitable urban development, with a particular focus on inclusionary housing, shared equity homeownership, and commercial corridor revitalization. The client base spans more than a dozen U.S. cities (San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Minneapolis, Honolulu, Berkeley/BART, New York), the Province of Ontario, federal agencies (FHFA), and intermediaries such as the Knight Foundation, Center for American Progress, PolicyLink, and Hello Housing. The firm is effectively a solo-practitioner boutique that operates without external institutional investment.
The firm's deliverable surface pairs fee-for-service consulting with a suite of interactive web-based analytical tools. Core products include the Inclusionary Housing Calculator (an interactive real estate pro forma tool with custom regional variants for Twin Cities, Metro Vancouver, and Ontario), HomeKeeper (a Salesforce-based application that tracks affordable homeownership program data and aggregates it into a national data hub), the Social Impact Dashboard (a visualization layer enabling near real-time peer benchmarking of program social performance), the Resale Formula Comparison Tool (Excel-based shared equity resale formula comparator), and a series of educational videos and animated tutorials covering housing economics and subsidy retention. Underlying technology combines standard web front-ends with a Salesforce.com data backbone, supporting both service delivery and the firm's positioning as a technical authority in inclusionary housing economics.
Revenue is generated primarily through project-based professional services contracts scoped to specific deliverables (policy redesigns, feasibility studies, program manuals, evaluations), supplemented by custom tool development engagements and a licensing/publication relationship with Grounded Solutions Network, which publishes the firm's tools. The firm does not publish a rate card or run paid demand generation; client acquisition relies on content-led marketing (published guides, the Inclusionary Housing Book, conference presentations, blog posts) and referral-driven sales rooted in Jacobus's prior network at Grounded Solutions Network, LISC, Lincoln Institute, and UC Berkeley.
Street Level Advisors firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Street Level Advisors
- Legal name
- Street Level Advisors LLC
- Website
- https://streetleveladvisors.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Street Level Advisors is an Oakland-based strategy and innovation firm founded in 2012 by Rick Jacobus. It consults for municipal governments, nonprofits, and foundations on inclusionary housing, shared equity homeownership, and equitable urban development, supported by interactive analytical tools.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Street Level Advisors industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Urban Policy Consulting
- NAICS
- Administration of Housing Programs (925110), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs) (BPAIACAJ)
Keywords
Where Street Level Advisors is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oakland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Street Level Advisors business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Government Consulting Contracts: Fee-for-service consulting engagements with municipal governments (cities, counties) to design, implement, and evaluate urban policy programs including inclusionary housing, incentive zoning, and commercial revitalization. Revenue is project-based and scoped to specific deliverables (e.g., policy redesign, feasibility studies, program manuals).
- Nonprofit and Philanthropy Consulting: Engagements with nonprofit housing organizations and foundations (PolicyLink, Center for American Progress, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Grounded Solutions Network) to conduct research, author publications, and develop tools.
- Tool Development and Licensing: Development and ongoing maintenance of web-based tools (Inclusionary Housing Calculator, HomeKeeper, Social Impact Dashboard) published by partner organizations (Grounded Solutions Network). Tools are freely accessible; revenue may be generated through custom tool development engagements.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
Street Level Advisors product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Street Level Advisors is a strategy and innovation firm providing consulting services to cities, nonprofits, and philanthropy on equitable urban development, with a focus on inclusionary housing policy design, shared equity homeownership program development, and commercial revitalization. The firm supplements its consulting practice with proprietary web-based analytical tools including the Inclusionary Housing Calculator, HomeKeeper Salesforce application, and Social Impact Dashboard that translate complex urban economics into formats usable by policymakers.
Product overview
Street Level Advisors is a strategy and innovation firm offering a portfolio of consulting services and interactive web-based tools focused on equitable urban development and affordable housing. The core product suite includes HomeKeeper (a Salesforce-based application for tracking affordable homeownership program data), the Social Impact Dashboard (for visualizing aggregated social performance data), the Inclusionary Housing Calculator (an interactive pro forma tool with regional variants for Twin Cities, Ontario, and Metro Vancouver), the Resale Formula Comparison Tool (for comparing shared equity resale formulas), and educational resources including the Inclusionary Housing Book, Berkeley Affordable Housing video series, and Understanding Subsidy Retention interactive tutorial. Services include inclusionary housing policy consulting, shared equity homeownership consulting, and commercial revitalization consulting.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- More than 80,000 Californians have obtained housing through inclusionary programs surveyed in California statewide study.
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Street Level Advisors
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Street Level Advisors technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature5 records
Street Level Advisors partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Center for American ProgresscoreStreet Level Advisors worked with the Center for American Progress to craft an ambitious federal housing policy proposal and co-presented at a public event ('A New Way Forward', February 2010). Also authored 'A Path to Homeownership' examining strategies for expanding access to homeownership for lower income families.
- Grounded Solutions NetworkcoreRick Jacobus founded what is now Grounded Solutions Network. Street Level Advisors and Grounded Solutions collaborate on the development of web-based tools including the Inclusionary Housing Calculator (calc.inclusionaryhousing.org), HomeKeeper Salesforce application, and Social Impact Dashboard. Grounded Solutions publishes these tools and Street Level leads technical development and defines the underlying financial models.
- John S. and James L. Knight FoundationcoreStreet Level Advisors led a Knight Foundation-funded evaluation of grants supporting organizations focused on improving access to public space and public life in American cities. Street Level partnered with Pathline Consulting to conduct the evaluation, interviewing nearly 50 neighborhood leaders across funded communities.
- PolicyLinkcoreStreet Level authored multiple publications for PolicyLink including the 'Best Practices in Inclusionary Housing' paper outlining policies, procedures, and systems for successful inclusionary housing program administration. Also collaborated on the Grocery Store Attraction Strategies report (sponsored with Bay Area LISC, California Endowment, State Farm Insurance, and CitiBank) and contributed to PolicyLink's Equitable Development Toolkit with the Commercial Stabilization ToolKit.
- Hello HousingcoreStreet Level Advisors and Hello Housing jointly designed and developed the $50 million AC Boost shared equity downpayment assistance loan program for Alameda County, California. The program helps lower income homebuyers access homes in one of the most expensive housing markets in the country.
- ChangeLab SolutionsminorThe Economic Development and Health Toolkit developed for the Public Health Institute's Land Use and Health Program is now hosted online at ChangeLab Solutions. The toolkit provides an overview of economic development and redevelopment issues for health advocates seeking new food stores in low-income communities.
- Abt AssociatesminorStreet Level Advisors is part of a team led by Abt Associates assisting the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) in developing systems for evaluating Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's performance in meeting their 'Duty to Serve' obligations under Dodd-Frank legislation.
- Lincoln Institute of Land PolicycoreRick Jacobus was a Visiting Fellow at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. Street Level authored the definitive 'Inclusionary Housing: Creating and Maintaining Equitable Communities' guidebook, published by the Lincoln Institute, which is described as the go-to guide for communities considering inclusionary housing policies.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Street Level Advisors competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Urban Institute: Nonprofit research organization producing policy evidence on housing affordability, community development, and inclusionary programs. Comparable because it informs the same municipal and federal housing policy decisions.
- HR&A Advisors: Real estate and economic development consulting firm advising public agencies on affordable housing policy, mixed-income development, and inclusionary programs. Comparable as a higher-end advisory serving similar municipal clients.
- Abt Associates: Large federal research and consulting firm currently prime contractor on the FHFA 'Duty to Serve' engagement with Street Level as a subcontractor. Comparable because it competes for and delivers affordable housing policy and evaluation work for federal clients.
- Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National community development financial institution where Rick Jacobus was a Senior Program Officer. Comparable because it funds and advises CDCs and municipalities on affordable housing and equitable development programs.
- Lincoln Institute of Land Policy: Independent policy research organization that published Street Level's Inclusionary Housing guidebook and where Jacobus was a Visiting Fellow. Comparable because it produces authoritative research and policy guidance on land use and housing affordability.
- Enterprise Community Partners: Large national affordable housing nonprofit offering policy advisory, capital, and programs. Comparable because it provides inclusionary housing and shared equity consulting to cities and CDCs at much greater scale.
Direct peers
- Grounded Solutions Network: National nonprofit (founded by Rick Jacobus) supporting local strategies for permanently affordable homeownership. Deeply comparable because it operates in the exact same shared equity / inclusionary housing niche and publishes Street Level's tools.
- Econsult Solutions: Urban economics consulting firm providing feasibility analyses, real estate economics, and policy advisory to cities and developers. Comparable because it produces similar inclusionary housing feasibility and pro forma work.
- PolicyLink: National research and advocacy organization for equitable development; Street Level has authored multiple publications for PolicyLink. Comparable because it works on inclusionary housing, equitable development toolkits, and community stabilization strategy.
- Burlington Associates in Community Development: Community land trust and shared equity technical assistance firm where Rick Jacobus was previously a Partner. Directly comparable as a small specialized consultancy serving the same nonprofit and municipal affordable housing clients.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Street Level Advisors social profiles
Digital presenceStreet Level Advisors financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Street Level Advisors leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Street Level Advisors funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Street Level Advisors M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Street Level Advisors
What does Street Level Advisors do?
Street Level Advisors is a strategy and innovation firm providing consulting services to cities, nonprofits, and philanthropy on equitable urban development, with a focus on inclusionary housing policy design, shared equity homeownership program development, and commercial revitalization. The firm supplements its consulting practice with proprietary web-based analytical tools including the Inclusionary Housing Calculator, HomeKeeper Salesforce application, and Social Impact Dashboard that translate complex urban economics into formats usable by policymakers.
Is Street Level Advisors a public or private company?
Street Level Advisors is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Street Level Advisors founded?
Street Level Advisors was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Street Level Advisors based?
Street Level Advisors is headquartered in Oakland, United States, in the North America region.
How does Street Level Advisors make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government Consulting Contracts are the primary driver. The others are nonprofit and Philanthropy Consulting and tool Development and Licensing.
Who are Street Level Advisors's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Urban Institute, HR&A Advisors, Abt Associates, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and Enterprise Community Partners. Direct peers are Grounded Solutions Network, Econsult Solutions, PolicyLink and Burlington Associates in Community Development.
Does Street Level Advisors have an API?
No public API is recorded for Street Level Advisors.
What industry is Street Level Advisors in?
Street Level Advisors's product category is Urban Policy Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIACAJ, Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs). Its NAICS code is 925110 and its SIC code is 8742.