Last month we hosted City of San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria for our Annual Membership Meeting. He

spoke to our assembled membership about the nuts and bolts of what we do in our sector: updates on

Affordable Housing Sustainable Communities Guidelines, working with state legislators, funding

pipelines, and how the perception of affordable housing needs to change. It was so very rewarding to

hear from a Mayor who really understands affordable housing. Mayor Gloria answered questions from

members and shared how he first learned of the Housing Federation; by receiving our mailed newsletter

addressed to the prior tenant of his apartment. It was an inspirational morning that left us feeling lighter

and more hopeful for the work ahead.

The annual SDRAFFH Fair Housing Conference happened this week where we were called to

affirmatively further affordable housing for all. We heard from speakers like Dr. Zachary Green that we

need to acknowledge our discriminatory past and to invest into the communities of today, communities

long ignored. We were once again reminded that affordable housing isn’t the end of the road, rather, it

is a path to creating generational wealth and equity.

In a year of uncertainly and turmoil we continue to focus on the work of being San Diego’s voice for

affordable housing. With your help, your support, and your engagement we are able to bring elected

officials, community leaders, and practitioners together to preserve, provide, and protect affordable

housing.

With gratitude,

Steve