Thank you for attending the 2018 Ruby Awards!
Save the Date for 2019 Ruby Awards
May 16, 2019 at the US Grant
Congratulations to the 2018 Award Winners!
Outstanding Resident Leader
An Outstanding Resident Leader is an individual residing in affordable housing in our region who has played 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.
The Ruby Award went to Miguel Figueroa of Paradise Creek Apartments in National City. Miguel is a Community Volunteer Leader and graduating high school senior. He leads the Community Center and afterschool-learning program, providing a fun, supportive, and safe place to learn. Miguel exemplifies the powerful impact of youth engagement.
Outstanding Service to Residents
Outstanding Service to Residents goes to an individual employee, volunteer, team, or program that is going beyond the call of duty to make a difference in the lives of residents.
The Ruby Award for Outstanding Service to Residents went to Dennis Dearie, Director of Supportive Services at Serving Seniors. Working with a cross-section of the most vulnerable seniors in our community, Dennis creates a welcoming environment in which his efforts are tailored to the particular individual. He has even mentored and inspired dozens of student interns working with the older adult population.
Outstanding Advocate
An Outstanding Advocate is an individual or organization who is raising their voice so that we can all raise ours.
The Ruby Award for Outstanding Advocate went to Jackie Camp. Jackie was appointed to the City of Oceanside Housing Commission in 1999 and continues to serve today; she is their longest serving housing commissioner in history. She is a lifelong proponent and fierce warrior of affordable housing production in Oceanside, and she is a staunch advocate of high quality, universal design, and the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act in all affordable housing developments and public improvements.
SDG&E Energy Efficiency & Sustainability Award for New Construction
The SDG&E Energy Efficiency & Sustainability Award for New Construction recognizes a new construction affordable housing development that promotes energy efficiency and/or sustainability in their design and construction.
The Ruby Award went to North Park Seniors from Community HousingWorks. North Park Seniors reflects the best principles of sustainability including energy and water efficiency, transit-oriented location, and sustainable design to encourage and promote healthy living. North Park Seniors is a 194-apartment, LGBT-affirming, transit-oriented development completed in December 2017 in San Diego.
CSH Supportive Housing Award
This award recognizes an outstanding supportive housing project, organization, or individual leader in San Diego. Nominees in this category are completed housing developments that have a focus on supportive services to enable people to end their homelessness.
The Ruby Award went to Talmadge Gateway from Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation, St. Paul’s PACE, and City Heights CDC. Talmadge Gateway is a project that has transformed San Diego’s approach to addressing homelessness for older adults by effectively weaving together PACE services, affordable housing, operating subsidies, and referrals flowing to the property through the Coordinated Entry System. Talmadge Gateway embodies all of the key elements of quality supportive housing.
Outstanding Development Partner
In the category for Outstanding Development Partner, the nominees exemplify what it means to be partner who provided outstanding support on an affordable housing development.
The Ruby Award for Outstanding Development Partner went to LISC San Diego. Having recently celebrated their 25th anniversary, LISC San Diego was a crucial early partner and investor that made many affordable housing projects in San Diego possible. According to the San Diego Business Journal, LISC—in its 25 years in San Diego—has invested $232 million in grants, loans, and equity investments in low-income communities in San Diego, leveraging $1 billion in total development. That has led to the creation of more than 6,000 affordable rental housing units and the development of over one million square feet of retail and commercial space.
Outstanding Government Agency or Elected Official
Nominees for Outstanding Government Agency or Elected Official took unusual risks or initiatives to support affordable housing and community development.
The Ruby Award for Outstanding Government Agency or Elected Official went to two individuals this year: Senator Toni Atkins and Assemblymember Brian Maienschein.
Senator Toni Atkins, a Democrat representing San Diego in the California State Senate, is a long-time advocate in the fight to improve California’s affordable housing dilemma. Her introduction of Senate Bill 2 (the Building Homes and Jobs Act) during the 2017 legislative session was essential in creating a permanent funding source for affordable housing and decreasing regulations for affordable housing developers. Toni’s efforts are pivotal in addressing the housing crisis and will surely improve the quality of life for our residents and California’s future.
In the past year, Assemblymember Brian Maienschein was the only Republican who voted yes on SB2, the measure to create a permanent funding source for affordable housing. On his critical vote, Brian said, “To do nothing for me is not an option.” Currently, Assemblymember Maienschein is coauthoring AB 3171, a $1.5 billion request from the Big 11 Mayors that would provide matching grant funds to cities that are working towards helping people who are homeless, including housing for these individuals.
Innovations Award
The Innovations Award encompasses new and interesting ideas in housing or services.
The Ruby Award went to North Park Seniors from Community HousingWorks. North Park Seniors is recognized for its pioneering use of density bonuses along with its innovative approach to housing the LGBT senior community in what is sure to become a national model. North Park Seniors is one of only a handful of developments in the nation that is designed to have an affirming and supportive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender seniors.
John Craven Memorial Award
Our next award honors a public employee who has taken unique risks or gone above and beyond the call of duty to facilitate the creation of affordable homes in a community or jurisdiction. The award is bestowed in memory of John Craven, one of San Diego’s most dedicated housing development officials.
The John Craven Memorial Award went to Rachel Hurst, most-recently from the Community Development Agency of the City of Coronado. Rachel Hurst is a seasoned city administrator with a career spanning over 35 years in several different California jurisdictions. She has been visibly dedicated to redevelopment, housing, land use, and planning issues. Rachel recently retired from the City of Coronado where she served for more than 11 years as the Director of Redevelopment and Housing Services and then the Director of Community Development.
Housing Project of the Year – Rehab
This award recognizes excellence in affordable housing developments that were acquisition or rehabilitation projects completed in San Diego County between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017.
The Ruby Award went to Woodglen Vista from Jamboree. Last year’s property rehabilitation of Woodglen went above and beyond the typical property refresh. The 2017 rehab of this 40 year old property was focused on both improvements in the individual units and an overhaul of the major components of the property infrastructure.
Housing Project of the Year – New Construction
This award recognizes excellence in affordable housing developments completed in San Diego County between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017.
The Ruby Award went to Atmosphere from Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation. Wakeland Housing took a blighted site that had been vacant since 2004 and transformed it into a stunning example of community development. The project serves a diverse group of residents and includes 51 units of permanent supportive housing with wraparound services for formerly homeless individuals.
Congratulations to the 2018 Nominees!
Outstanding Resident Leader
Johnathon Michael Bradley
Carline Dunmore
Miguel Figueroa
Fadumo Jama
Lavearn London
Vikki Lozano
Adriana Martinez
Outstanding Service to Residents
Rickie Brown
Dennis Dearie
Aida Rodriguez
Irena Dervishi
Maria Garcia
Rafael Monroy
Quality Children’s Services for the Children’s Cove Child Development Center at Mission Cove
Jill Steeves
Gayle Vincent
Outstanding Advocate
Greg Anglea
Jackie Camp
Rebecca Louie
Adriana Martinez
Peaches Turner
Outstanding Development Partner
LISC San Diego
Studio E Architects
Outstanding Gov Agency or Elected Official
Senator Toni Atkins
City of Chula Vista Housing Division
Assemblymember Brian Maienschein
John Craven Award
Rachel Hurst
SDG&E Environmental: New Construction
Atmosphere, Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation
Mission Cove, National Community Renaissance
North Park Seniors, Community HousingWorks
CSH Supportive Housing Award
Atmosphere, Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation
Cypress, Affirmed Housing
North Park Seniors, Community HousingWorks
Talmadge Gateway, Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation, St. Paul's PACE, and City Heights CDC
Innovations Award
Cypress, Affirmed Housing
ElderHelp’s HomeShare program
Housing Our Heroes Initiative
Landlord Incentive Program
Mission Cove, National Community Renaissance
North Park Seniors, Community HousingWorks
Wesley House Student Residence, Inc.
Project of the Year: Rehab
Woodglen Apartments, Jamboree
Project of the Year: New Construction
Atmosphere, Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation
Duetta and Volta at Millenia, Chelsea Investment Corporation
Eastgate at Creekside, Affirmed Housing
North Park Seniors, Community HousingWorks
Ouchi Courtyards, Chelsea Investment Corporation
Talmadge Gateway, Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation, St. Paul's PACE, and City Heights CDC
What to Expect
One of SDHF’s signature events, the annual Ruby Awards is the county’s largest affordable housing industry recognition event honoring the best people, projects, and achievements during the past year. Every year, hundreds of housing and community leaders from across the region and around the state will be on hand to applaud winners in more than a dozen categories and be inspired by their achievements.
Thursday, May 3, 2018 at the Prado in Balboa Park
5:30 – 7 pm - Onsite Registration/Check-in and Reception
7:30 – 9 pm - Dinner and Awards Program
The Ruby Awards recognize excellence in affordable housing and community development, highlighting the accomplishments of people, agencies and developments that work to ensure all San Diegans, regardless of income, have a safe, stable place they can afford to call home.
Call for Nominations is closed. Thank you to those who submitted. Nominees will be announced the week of March 5th.
Sponsorship Information
Show your support for excellence in San Diego Affordable Housing and consider a sponsorship in 2018. Full sponsorship packets and other opportunities are available. This packet details the various SDHF membership and sponsorship opportunities available along with corresponding benefits, allowing you to choose the options.
Thank you to the following organizations and individuals for their generous donations towards the 2018 Ruby Awards event!
Title/Ruby Sponsor
Chase Bank
Topaz
San Diego Gas & Electric
San Diego Interfaith Housing Foundation
Wells Fargo
Amethyst
Affirmed Housing Group
Chelsea Investment Corporation
Leaf & Cole
National Community Renaissance
RED Capital Group
San Diego Housing Commission
Union Bank
Wakeland Housing & Development
Turquoise
BBVA Compass Bank
Burkett & Wong Engineers
California Community Reinvestment Corporation (CCRC)
City of Oceanside
FPI Management
Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF)
LPA, Inc.
RedStone Equity
Rodriguez Associates Architects
Studio E
WNC
Jade
Carrier Johnson
Cavignac & Associates
Century Housing Corporation
Community HousingWorks
Goldfarb & Lipman LLP
HA Builders
Housing Development Partners
Jamboree Housing Corporation
Las Palmas
MAAC Project
Raymond James
San Diego Habitat for Humanity
Reception Sponsor
US Bank
LEGO House Centerpiece Sponsor
Sun Country Builders
Red Wine Sponsor
Baldwin & Sons
White Wine Sponsor
Downs Pham & Kuei LLP
Award Sponsorships
Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH)
San Diego Gas & Electric
Resident Award Scholarship Sponsor
Sun Country Builders
John Craven Award Sponsorship
Thank you to the Craven family for generously sponsoring this award by donating $1,000 to a non-profit organization of the winner’s choosing.
For questions, please contact Sarah Buchanan, Director of Events and Membership via email or at (619) 239-6693.
Contact Sarah Buchanan with any questions.