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Healthy and Equitable Communities
See highlights of ongoing efforts towards environmental justice and health equity in the Air District’s climate and air quality planning work.
Announcement:
The Air District is posting a beta version of Planning Healthy Places (PHP 2.0) for 6 months starting September 24, 2026. During this time, the Air District is seeking any additional best practice examples to add to PHP 2.0. Please submit examples to planning@baaqmd.gov.
In 2016, the Bay Area Air District (Air District) published Planning Healthy Places (PHP), a guidebook to help local governments integrate land use, air quality, and public health considerations in support of infill development, while promoting clean, healthy air for existing and future residents. PHP 2.0 updates and replaces this guidance to reflect current planning needs and priorities. PHP 2.0 also expands the focus beyond new development to include existing land use patterns and recommends an updated approach to identifying communities overburdened by air pollution and other stressors.
The Air District encourages local jurisdictions to consider opportunities to implement mechanisms discussed throughout PHP 2.0, and to share this document with colleagues, constituents, and networks.
The original PHP will remain posted on the Air District's website for the time-being but will eventually be taken down. In the interim, please note that portions of PHP content may be outdated and it is recommended to consult PHP 2.0 for current guidance.
In addition to sending examples, please reach out to discuss how the Air District can best support local implementation of health-protective mechanisms presented in this guide by emailing planning@baaqmd.gov. Visit the Air District’s Local Government Support Program page for more resources, including the Resource Library.
Air Pollution and Community Health
Learn about the public health effects of air pollution, which disproportionately impact low-income communities of color.
- Learn more about how the Air District works to protect and improve community health.
- Sponsored by the Air District, the Bay Air Center contains a collection of resources on air pollution basics and understanding air quality data and a range of other related topics.
AB 617
The Air District’s Community Health Protection Program, implementing Assembly Bill 617, uses a community partnership model to collaborate with Bay Area communities most impacted by air pollution to develop and implement new strategies to reduce air pollution exposure and related health impacts.
- Richmond-San Pablo Community Health Protection Program
- West Oakland Community Action Plan
- East Oakland Community Emissions Reduction Plan
- Bayview Hunters Point / Southeast San Francisco Community Emissions Reduction Plan
Bay Area Healthy Homes Initiative
The Bay Area Healthy Homes Initiative, or BAHHI, is a program that seeks to improve health outcomes for the Contra Costa and Alameda County residents living in the areas most impacted by traffic air pollution. The program integrates multiple services that seek to reduce participants’ exposure to air pollution and other asthma triggers while also making homes more energy efficient.
Bay Area Regional Climate Action Planning Initiative
The Bay Area Regional Climate Action Planning Initiative, or BARCAP, is funded by the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program to create a regional climate action plan for the northern and central Bay Area region. (The southern region is part of a separate planning effort.) The planning effort seeks to benefit frontline communities in the region. The Air District created a Frontline Communities Map to support this goal.
Featured Resources
View a few featured resources to support Bay Area local governments. Explore the full Local Government Support Program Resource Library for more.
Last Updated: 9/24/2026