Member News Feature: “The Joys of Affordable Housing” by John Ahlswede, President of Sun Country Builders.

When John Ahlswede founded Sun Country Builders in 1979, he could never have imagined the profound ripple effect his work would have on communities across Southern California. What started as a two-person operation has grown into a leading construction firm, responsible for building over 8,700 affordable housing units and reshaping the lives of thousands. But for John, the numbers only tell part of the story. When he looks back on his 45 years at Sun Country Builders, he sees more than construction projects—he sees stories of transformation. “Every project we take on represents something much bigger than the buildings themselves,” John reflects. “It’s about giving families a place where they feel secure, where their kids can thrive, and where dignity and stability are restored. That’s the legacy we aim to build.”

The San Diego Housing Federation hosted its annual End-of-Year Celebration earlier this month at AleSmith Brewing Company, bringing together industry professionals, colleagues, and supporters to commemorate an unforgettable year of progress and community. The night was a perfect blend of networking, reflection, and fun, all while raising a glass to the dedicated work that continues to transform affordable housing in San Diego.

It was also a chance to honor and recognize the graduates, mentors, and instructor of the Affordable Housing Management Academy and their hard work throughout the course of the program, reflect on the many achievements of 2024, and to look forward to what’s to come in the new year.

Britney Ligon’s career path has always been about helping others, beginning with a role that many might see as her calling—supporting seniors in hospice and palliative care. In that field, Britney provided more than just physical care; she offered compassion, guidance, and stability to families during some of life’s most challenging moments. But as her experience grew, so did her perspective. Britney began to see that the challenges facing her clients and others in vulnerable communities often extended far beyond healthcare. She noticed how housing instability, financial uncertainty, and limited resources were constant obstacles, particularly for seniors living on fixed incomes.

As we reflect on another year of hard work, dedication, and collaboration, we invite you to join us in celebrating the stories of those who have shaped the San Diego Housing Federation’s (SDHF) mission. One such story is that of Raquel Harati, a Research Analyst at the National Low Income Housing Coalition, whose journey through public health, housing advocacy, and community impact was shaped by her time with SDHF.

Dolores Diaz has spent nearly five decades in service to affordable housing, bringing her vision and dedication to communities across California. Born and raised in Guadalupe, a small farm labor town nestled between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, Dolores’s early experiences were shaped by the strength and resilience of her close-knit community. Those formative years laid the groundwork for a career dedicated to helping others find stability and support.

Since first connecting with SDHF in 2011, Kwofi Reed has served on the board of directors and several committees, including policy, finance, and fundraising. He initially joined to support business development, but he quickly found himself drawn to the Federation's genuine commitment to advocacy, talent building, and industry growth. “I was intrigued to stay because of the organization's effective focus on policy and the shared mission to create a more inclusive housing landscape,” he says.

After dedicating 37 years to the medical field, primarily in dialysis and pulmonary care, Joyce sought new opportunities and a deeper purpose. In 2013, she found that purpose with the San Diego Housing Federation (SDHF) when she first learned about the organization through the Resident Popular Educators (RPE) program, now known as Residents United Network (RUN). “It was there that I discovered my voice, the power of advocacy, and the ability to be part of something bigger—a community committed to change,” she reflects.

At the heart of the San Diego Housing Federation's mission are the incredible people whose lives are transformed by access to housing, education, and support. One of those stories belongs to Abraham Abrams, a property manager at Greenbrier Village with National CORE. Born in Guadalajara and raised in San Diego, Abraham’s journey to his current role is a powerful testament to the resilience and sense of community that SDHF fosters.