Resident Stories

Resident services staff are among the most valuable staff members in ensuring a successful affordable housing community and supporting the success of individual residents. San Diego Housing Federation has created programs that focus on building the next generation of affordable housing leaders and educating and engaging affordable housing residents to help build the power of our community. Your support plays a pivotal role in extending the reach of these programs, positively impacting hundreds of individuals and fostering a more empowered and resilient affordable housing landscape.

Discover the heartwarming story of how Resident Services Coordinators at Villa Serena in San Diego are transforming affordable housing communities for seniors.

When Vivian moved to Ten Fifty B in Downtown San Diego from her previous low-income housing, she could not believe how nice it was. The apartments were nice, neat, and clean, and the building staff were so supportive. The location was central, the residents were friendly, and she and her husband felt safe.

When asked how significant having an affordable home was to her, Margarita let out a chuckle: it couldn’t be more significant. Having a home that was both affordable and easily accessible was the reason she felt she could be happy.

Vanessa has been working in the fields in the Imperial Valley and in Arizona for ten years. When she first started working in the fields she lived in Mexicali, Mexico and it was a hardship for her to cross the border everyday to go to work. She also faced difficulties living in Mexico and being a single mother trying to raise her son without any help from either the government of Mexico or from her son's father.

Despite his young age, Miguel Figueroa has proven to be the most driven, influential leader that Community HousingWorks’ Paradise Creek has ever had. In May, Miguel was honored with a Ruby Award for Outstanding Resident Leader. Miguel is a bright, young man who truly inspires those around him.

Ricky was the first resident to move into a studio apartment at Talmadge Gateway, a new community of 60 affordable homes designed for formerly homeless seniors with ongoing health needs. The supportive housing community opened last June.

Jonathon Bradley is a highly-involved resident advocate and Army veteran at President John Adams Manor. Born and raised in San Diego, he is now emerging as a skilled community leader and role model. His residence at PJAM, he notes, is what has allowed him to excel in such leadership roles.

Moving into an affordable home 11 years ago was just the beginning of many successes for Anabel Rosas, a resident at Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation’s Del Sol community.

Jennifer Cheung is a local resident whose success story might not have been possible without affordable housing. Her residence in a National Core apartment community allowed Jennifer to grow professionally, support her family, and even give back to her community.

Kelly Inman’s goal was to raise her daughter in a safe and affordable community. Kelly and her two-year-old daughter, Kristen, had lived in a long term shelter and later in a tiny studio apartment.

Fifteen years ago, Cindy and her daughter packed their belongings in Kansas and headed west on a new adventure. Their destination was Del Mar, California.

Nancy is a faithful friend, mother, grandmother, resident and volunteer at one of Interfaith Housing Assistance Corporation’s (IHAC) 55+ Senior Communities. Before Nancy found out about Renaissance, a 95 unit affordable housing property for Seniors in North Park, she lived in an elderly community that was way beyond her budget.

After residing in the Central San Joaquin Valley all her life and raising two children as a single parent, Denise Brisco made it her goal in 2002 to move to San Diego. Her daughter was living in Los Angeles and her son, who graduated from UCSD, decided that he would make San Diego his home once he completed law school.

For 25 years, Vikki and Ted Lozano lived comfortably as owners of four interior design and window covering retail stores in Sacramento, CA. Everything changed with the collapse of the economy in 2008. They lost their business and their home.

Natheer Salem is a religious man who lost his wife in 2006. He was in the Iraqi army in 2004, but decided to help the U.S due to his beliefs of helping anyone who is in need.  A short time after he lost his wife due to a terrorist attack, he moved to Jordan as a newly single father.

Margo Velez is an outstanding resident leader at MAAC’s President John Adams Manor where she serves as Core Team member, peer educator and strong advocate for her neighbors. Margo graduated RPE Training in 2015 and has been providing support to the STEP Center staff and Management at John Addams Manor.

When Erika became pregnant, she was living in a 200 sq.ft. studio, working a full-time job, and was struggling to afford rent. She applied to live at the Hacienda Townhomes in downtown and was able to find an affordable room after a short time.