Thank you for attending the 2019 Ruby Awards
May 16, 2019
The US Grant, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Save the Date for the 2020 Ruby Awards and
celebrate our 30th Anniversary on
Friday, May 15, 2020 at the North Park Observatory!
Congratulations to the 2019 Ruby 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 Lavearn London, a resident of Hillside Views. Lavearn is generous in her service, placing great value on creating a safe environment for others to call “home”. Lavearn has been a member of Residents United Network for about two years, since the beginning she has lobbied in Sacramento, presented at community and regional meetings, given public testimony at San Diego City Council, served as a panelist at conference workshops, and empowering her peers to engage too. For the Mid-term Election she engaged in voter registration and voter engagement activities, door-knocking and making over 300 phone calls to help Prop 1 & 2 pass. She works tirelessly to uplift the story of her community.
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 Diana Aguiar. Diana has a true passion for her job as the Services Coordinator for Hope through Housing in San Diego which is driven by her desire to help her residents live healthy, successful and satisfying lives. Diana is recognized by all the property managers as a dedicated partner in providing each and every resident with the best possible experience. As the sole staff member and with a portfolio of 17 properties and 4500 residents, Diana brings an innovative approach to resident services with a balance of personal delivery and partnership collaboration. Diana connects with her residents of varied backgrounds, cultures, ages and languages and makes them all feel special.
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 Scott Dreher. Scott’s time, energy, leadership and dedication to the plight of homeless people in our community has alleviated human suffering and resulted in concrete policies and programs that have improved their lives. He has persisted fearlessly in this work for more than 30 years. Scott is best known for the Spencer decision in 2007 which required police to offer an open shelter bed to those sleeping on the sidewalks of downtown between 9 p.m. and 5:30 am.
SDG&E Energy Efficiency & Sustainability Award for Retrofit
The SDG&E Energy Efficiency & Sustainability Award for Retrofit recognizes a retrofit affordable housing development that promotes energy efficiency and/or sustainability in their design and construction.
The Ruby Award went to The Allison Apartments, Housing Innovation Partners and Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation. What began as one of the first developments to partner with San Diego County Behavioral Health Services to provide housing to persons with serious mental illness who were experiencing chronic homelessness is now a state of the art, energy efficient community that will continue to serve a highly vulnerable population for many years. The Allison Apartments is an energy- and water-efficient community of 58 homes in San Diego that primarily serves people with special needs. In 2017, owner Housing Innovation Partners (HIP) decided to partner with Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation to renovate the aging property. Recognizing the multiple benefits of an energy retrofit to both owners and residents, the developers undertook substantial measures that allow the community – now renamed “The Allison” – to operate with net zero energy use.
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 Mission Cove, National Community Renaissance and Community HousingWorks. This intergenerational, affordable housing community provides 288 high-quality apartment homes for families, seniors, veterans and individuals who have experienced homelessness, and transition age youth. The community is the culmination of successful team work, together the City of Oceanside, co-developers, and others created a smarter, larger development that ultimately will have a great impact on the community and surrounding neighborhood. Sustainable features include: drought-tolerant trees, landscape screening to soften the view of structures from on-site residents and the surrounding community, eight electric vehicle charging stations, solar thermal, solar photovoltaic systems and an organic garden with 23 raised plots.
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 The Allison, Housing Innovation Partners and Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation. The Reverend Glenn Allison Apartments was one of the first permanent supportive housing developments in San Diego to partner with San Diego County Behavioral Health Services to provide housing to persons with serious mental illness who are experiencing chronic homelessness. Through a partnership in 2017 between Housing Innovation Partners (HIP) and Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation, The Allison has been completely renovated to include rooftop solar, a stand-alone community building and updates to all 58 units. The Allison represents the history of permanent supportive housing in San Diego, but also the future by creating new opportunities to serve our most vulnerable with quality, energy-efficient 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 Charles Davis with Urban West Development. Charles has been a consultant involved in over $950 million in development and construction management work in the San Diego region, including over 1,000 units of affordable housing, enhancing communities from Oceanside to San Ysidro and in between. His experience includes the management of over 17 affordable housing developments and 11 retail, industrial, environmental and commercial projects from acquisition, planning, development, construction and operations. His strong drive for housing and community enhancement combined with his easy going manner has been a reason for his many affordable housing successes of which he has played a significant production role.
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 Councilmember Chris Ward. Councilmember Chris Ward spearheaded a variety of efforts to significantly expand affordable and supportive housing in the City of San Diego, including the affordable/supportive housing bond measure that will now be on the 2020 ballot. Councilmember Ward was instrumental in ensuring over $30 million in Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) funds will be effectively invested in homeless programs and services across the region. He is consistently passionate in this work and tirelessly champions’ policy efforts as well as funding and resources for desperately needed housing in San Diego. Chris recognizes the crisis of affordable housing and homelessness and is redoubling his efforts to make a significant impact through his inspiring leadership at City Council.
Innovations Award
The Innovations Award encompasses new and interesting ideas in housing or services.
The Ruby Award went to Rebecca Louie. Rebecca is the Chief Operating Officer at Wakeland Housing and uses her in depth knowledge of planning, building, and operating affordable housing to bring innovative programs together to support staff with the tools needed to achieve successful outcomes. In 2018, Rebecca launched the Supportive Housing Operators Network in order to meet the needs of supportive housing property managers in San Diego. Rebecca recognized that property manager’s face numerous challenges as they work with individuals who have varying complex needs. With over 15 years of experience, Rebecca’s creative leadership approach has helped identify major challenges and gaps facing the affordable and supportive housing industry.
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 The Clairemont Coalition on Homelessness (CCH). In just one year of operation, the Clairemont Coalition on Homelessness (CCH) has emerged as a key voice in the fight to create more supportive housing in San Diego – a fight which has intensified over the past few years as opposition to housing solutions for homelessness has grown in certain San Diego neighborhoods. CCH and its members have proved to be strong advocates, taking a stand in several highly-opposed projects in their home neighborhood of Clairemont and providing support across many platforms of social activism, from testimony at public meetings to newspaper op-eds to social media campaigns. The success of this groups efforts have played a major role in turning the tide in support of once-contested projects that will now help people who have experienced homelessness.
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, 2018 and December 31, 2018.
The Ruby Award went to Town and Country Village Apartments, San Diego Housing Commission, Housing Development Partners (HDP), and Chelsea Investment Corporation. The San Diego Housing Commission’s (SDHC) acquisition and rehabilitation of Town & Country Village Apartments (Town & Country) in partnership with SDHC’s nonprofit affiliate, Housing Development Partners (HDP), and Chelsea Investment Corporation extends the affordability of 97 rental apartments and converts 46 previously market-rate apartments into affordable rental housing units for families in San Diego’s Mountain View community. These 143 apartments will remain affordable for 55 years. In addition to the extensive rehabilitation of rental unit interiors and exteriors, this project included the construction of a community center, which provides a location for resident services, such as after-school programs and adult education, and a computer lab.
Housing Project of the Year – New Construction
This award recognizes excellence in affordable housing developments completed in San Diego County between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018.
The Ruby Award went to Mission Cove, National Community Renaissance and Community HousingWorks. Mission Cove is a 14.5 acre, 288 affordable apartment home community in the City of Oceanside built by National Community Renaissance and Community HousingWorks. The community is the culmination of successful team work from the City of Oceanside, co-developers, neighbors and others who created a smarter, larger development that ultimately had an even greater impact on the community and surrounding neighborhood. Mission Cove offers a unique residential makeup that promotes social connections, interactions and a sense of community to its residents. The three-phase, mixed-use, master-planned community includes 10,500 square-feet of retail space, 8,700 square feet of community space and numerous outdoor amenities.
Thank you to our Title Sponsor
Thank you to our Topaz Sponsors
Thank you to the following organizations and individuals for their generous donations towards the 2019 Ruby Awards event!
Reception Sponsor
US Bank
Centerpiece Sponsor
Department of Housing & Community Development
CSH Suportive Housing Award Sponsor
Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH)
Outstanding Resident Leader Award Sponsor
Pacific Western Bank
Outstanding Service to Residents Award Sponsor
Baldwin & Sons
Wine Sponsor
MFRG-ICON Construction
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.
Amethyst
Bank of America
Leaf & Cole
National Community Renaissance
San Diego Housing Commission
San Diego Interfaith Housing Foundation
Union Bank
Wakeland Housing & Development
Turquoise
American Asphalt & Concrete
Chelsea Investment Corporation
Downs Pham & Kuei LLP
Gubb and Barshay LLP
Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF)
Novogradac
Raymond James
RedStone Equity
Rick Engineering Co
Rodriguez Associates Architects
Studio E
Sun Country Builders
WNC
Jade
California Housing Partnership Corporation (CHPC)
Century Housing Corporation
City of Oceanside
Foundation for Affordable Housing
Goldfarb & Lipman LLP
Homes for San Diegans
Housing Development Partners
MAAC Project
San Diego Habitat for Humanity
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 16, 2019 at the US Grant, a Luxury Collection Hotel
5:30 – 7 pm
Onsite Registration/Check-in and Reception
Presidential Foyer
7:30 – 9:30 pm
Dinner and Awards Program
Presidential Ballroom
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.
Tickets
Tickets will be available at the door for an increased price. Please see the pricing below for more information.
Member Price at the Door - $210
Non-Member Price at the Door - $250
Parking
Valet parking will be available at a discounted rate of $20 per vehicle. All costs related to parking will be at the attendee’s own expense. Please allow ample time to park and make it to the venue, as the parking process can take about 10 – 15 minutes depending on traffic.
We suggest taking advantage of a rideshare service, such as Lyft or Uber.
Registration and Check-In
Registration will begin at 5:30 PM and end at 7:00 PM. Upon arrival to the US Grant, please proceed through the main entrance and come up through the elevators or stairs to the 2nd floor where you will find the registration desk outside the Presidential Ballroom and Foyer. Please check-in at the registration table to receive your ticket with your table number and one (1) drink ticket for the reception. Thank you to the reception sponsor, US Bank.
The program will begin promptly at 7:30 PM in the Presidential Ballroom. After the reception has ended, please proceed inside to find your seat. Programs will be placed on your chair for you to follow along during the event. Dinner will be served shortly after the program begins. Wine will be served with dinner, courtesy of our wine sponsor, MFRG-ICON Construction.
Attire
Cocktail or semi-formal attire. Wear ‘Ruby’ if you have it!
Congratulations to the 2019 Ruby Award Nominees
Outstanding Development Partner
Charles Davis
Brett Paulson
Outstanding Government Agency or Elected Official
Councilmember Chris Ward
County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency
Innovations Award
County of San Diego Health and Human Services, Housing and Community Development Services
ElderHelp of San Diego
Rebecca Louie
Scripps Wittier Diabetes Institute
Trestle Development and GLAMAR Investments
Wesley House Student Residence, Inc.
John Craven Memorial Award
The Clairemont Coalition on Homelessness (CCH)
Alyssa Muto
Project of the Year – Rehabilitation
The Allison Apartments, Housing Innovation Partners and Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation
Hollywood Palms, Affirmed Housing
Luther Tower Apartments, RAHD Group
New Palace Hotel, Housing Development Partners
Town and Country Village Apartments, San Diego Housing Commission
Project of the Year – New Construction
Mission Cove, National Community Renaissance and Community HousingWorks
Vista Del Puente, National CORE and Townspeople
Outstanding Resident Leader - Sponsored by Pacific Western Bank
Bruce Carron
Gretchen Davis
Prisciliana Fuentes
Lavearn London
Enriqueta Loyola
Outstanding Service to Residents - Sponsored by Baldwin & Sons
Diana Aguiar
Soraya Codrero
The Chicano Federation
Embrace
EngAGE
Joan Frazier
Alison Lizarraga
Jessica Johnson
Robin Strickland
Outstanding Advocate
Bill Bolstad
John Brady
Scott Dreher
The Clairemont Coalition on Homelessness (CCH)
Jeffrey Najarian
SDG&E Environmental Award: Retrofit
The Allison Apartments, Housing Innovation Partners and Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation
Hollywood Palms, Affirmed Housing
SDG&E Environmental: New Construction
Mission Cove, National Community Renaissance and Community HousingWorks
CSH Supportive Housing Award
The Allison, Housing Innovation Partners and Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation
New Palace Hotel, Housing Development Partners
Supportive Housing Operators Network
Vista Del Puente, National CORE and Townspeople
The San Diego Housing Federation Recognizes Jim Silverwood as the 2019 Housing Champion
Each year, the Board of Directors select a Housing Champion that honors professionals with more than two decades of leadership, innovation and impact in the affordable housing field.
Recipients embody the values of the Federation: a commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability; collaboration and partnership across the community development field and advocacy for policies that improve the quality of life of families and communities. The Housing Champion is the only category that is exclusively chosen by the Board of Directors.
Silverwood was selected for the accolade for his 34-year commitment to affordable housing that continues to advance the principles of the San Diego Housing Federation. As President and CEO of Affirmed Housing, Affirmed Housing has secured over $1.3 Billion dollars in financing and tax credit equity and has continued to grow in the field of affordable housing by developing innovative new construction and acquisition/rehabilitation communities across California. He has lead the firm in its push to house our State’s homeless including veterans. Affirmed’s first homeless transaction occurred in 2012 and since that time Affirmed has developed or in the process of currently developing eight additional PSH developments.
Silverwood is well known and respected amongst the affordable housing industry in California. He has been active in Local, Regional, Statewide, and National legislative issues. He has served on numerous Boards and Committees such as the Board of Directors of the San Diego North County Building Industry (BIA) from 1989 to 1992 and California State Treasurer Matt Fong's Housing Finance Advisory Committee (1997 to 1999). A past board member of the San Diego Housing Federation (2002-2006), and Local Initiative Support Corporation LISC (1999-2002). He currently sits on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the California Housing Consortium (CHC). Mr. Silverwood was Chairman of the CHC (2015-2017) and was inducted into the California Housing Hall of Fame in 2011.
Congratulations Jim Silverwood on being chosen as the recipient of this year’s special award!
Sponsorship Information - Sponsorship Opportunities are now closed for 2019
Show your support for excellence in San Diego Affordable Housing and consider a sponsorship in 2019. 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.
For questions, please contact Sarah Buchanan, Director of Events and Membership via email or at (619) 239-6693.
Refund Policy
Refunds can be made up to close of online-registration, Friday, April 26, 2019. After this date, no refunds will be made, however, you can change the name on a ticket.
Contact Sarah Buchanan with any questions.