Facebook is offering up a $20 million contribution to help improve the communities around Silicon Valley and the Bay Area, as the social networking giant looks to sweeten the special privileges it receives from the local authorities.

Facebook announced a number of projects that will focus on building affordable housing, STEM training in the area, and legal support for those in need.

The social networking giant says that it would like the area to "remain strong and vibrant." To this end, it is teaming up with a number of partners to create a problem-solving coalition.

Facebook's Vice President for Public Policy and Communications, Elliot Schrage, said that Facebook and other partners will establish a Catalyst Housing Fund with $18.5 million to pursue "innovative and scalable ways" to increase the production and protection of affordable housing. An additional $250,000 will go to Rebuilding Together Peninsula to support the building and upkeep of homes for low-income residents.

The partnership will also evote $625,000 to job training in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. In addition, Facebook is establishing a dedicated local community liaison who will help connect community members with open positions at Facebook.

To provide immediate relief to those facing particularly difficult circumstances, Facebook is also dedicating $500,000 to an assistance fund to provide legal support to tenants threatened with displacement from evictions, unsafe living conditions and other forms of landlord abuse.