AFFORDABLE HOUSING SECTOR CELEBRATES INNOVATION AT ANNUAL RUBY AWARDS SHOW
Fourteen categories highlighting people, projects, and partners in the San Diego region

SAN DIEGO, CA - The San Diego Housing Federation (SDHF) held its annual Ruby Awards on Thursday, June 17 from 3 to 4 p.m. via YouTube Live. The Ruby Awards are held annually to recognize extraordinary achievements in affordable housing development, community development, public policy, and housing advocacy and celebrate all those housing advocates helping to achieve this goal. The Ruby Awards’ motto of “No Place Like Home” continues to inspire the sector to innovate in the face of ever changing challenges.

 “Last year we scrambled to bring Ruby Awards to life after the shutdown. This year we’ve all adapted and our sector has defied the odds. We’ve witnessed more innovation, teamwork, and partnership than ever before,” said SDHF President and CEO Stephen Russell. “Today we celebrated the hard work, passion, and dedication that fuels our sector to ensure that every San Diegan has a place to call home.”

 The SDHF Board of Directors selected the “Housing Champion” while a cross-disciplinary jury selected the winners in fourteen categories —including “Project of the Year,” “Outstanding Resident Leader,” “Outstanding Advocate,” “Innovations in Response to COVID-19, and “Best Journalistic Coverage of Affordable Housing.”

 This year the Housing Champion award went to Matt Jumper, President of San Diego Interfaith Housing. “Matt has been involved the Housing Federation for nearly thirty years. He is well known for his impact in the San Diego region from Metro Villas to Measure A, he embodies the spirit of the Housing Federation,” said Lori Holt Pfeiler, SDHF Board Chair.

 The Outstanding Resident Leader award went to Leonardo Licon with Community HousingWorks. Outstanding Resident Leader honors individuals residing in affordable housing in our region who play an important role in promoting the creation of more affordable housing and/or enhancing how affordable housing improves the lives of residents and local communities. Licon received the award for his dedication to serving the residents of Atmosphere Apartments and consistently delivers high-quality work in the areas of resident services and community building.

 Assemblymember Chris Ward presented the tied-winners for Innovations in Response to COVID-19, Chicano Federation of San Diego County COVID-19 Community Response Plan and Hotel Purchases to Create Permanent Housing with Supportive Services by the San Diego Housing Commission. The Innovations Award encompasses new and interesting ideas in housing or services, this year focused on the innovations in response to the pandemic.

Best Journalistic Coverage of Affordable Housing was presented by National City Mayor Alejandro Sotelo-Solis and went to Lisa Halverstadt of Voice of San Diego. This award highlights the importance of spreading accurate information, informing the community, and explaining policy jargon.

 City of San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria announced the final award categories for Housing Project of the Year as he acknowledged their efforts on enhancing neighborhoods and promoting a sense of community for residents, “as we know, community is home, and there’s no place like home.”

 This year’s Housing Project of the Year – Rehabilitation went to Kimball and Morgan Towers, Community HousingWorks (CHW) and Mercy Housing California (Mercy). The rehabilitation included major building system updates, renovated units, upgraded and new amenity spaces, and a renovated Nutrition Center.  By extending the life of the towers, CHW and Mercy preserved a critical asset for National City, enriching the community for the residents and local seniors.

 Housing Project of the Year – New Construction went to COMM22, San Diego Habitat for Humanity. Corporate and individual sponsors and 5,500 volunteers came together over the course of 32 months to make this development a reality. Sustainability and energy-efficiency are weaved into the design making it a community that brings new futures and generational change to hardworking families.

For a full list of the 2021 Ruby Awards winners, please visit here.

San Diego Housing Federation

The San Diego Housing Federation is the region’s voice for affordable housing. SDHF is committed to increasing the supply of housing for San Diego’s most vulnerable families, seniors, veterans, and those living with disabilities. For more information visit, www.housingsandiego.org.

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