For 35 years, the San Diego Housing Federation has worked to ensure that every person in our region has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing. Our story is one of persistence, partnership, and progress—shaping the policies and investments that make homes possible for thousands of San Diegans.

As the San Diego Housing Federation celebrates 35 years, we also celebrate the evolution of one of our most impactful and people-centered initiatives: the Supportive Housing and Resident Services Academy (SHRSA).

SHRSA was created in 2024 through the merger of two longstanding networks—Resident Services Support Network (RSSN) and the Supportive Housing Learning Network (SHLN)—each with its own rich history of supporting professionals on the frontlines of affordable and supportive housing.

Together, they form a unified program dedicated to training, peer support, and shared learning across property management and resident services staff in our region.

In Spring 2021, the San Diego Housing Federation partnered with MiraCosta College to tackle a critical challenge facing the region: the growing need for skilled, compassionate property managers in affordable housing. With the leadership of Michelle Sites (VP of SoCal Affordable at CONAM Management) and Erica Duran (Department Chair for Short-Term Vocational at MiraCosta College), two new courses were developed that summer tailored to train and uplift individuals often underrepresented in the field.

The San Diego Housing Federation (SDHF) proudly celebrated a milestone 35th anniversary of the Ruby Awards on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina. The annual Ruby Awards, the region’s largest and most prestigious celebration of affordable housing, honors excellence in housing development, community advocacy, and public policy across San Diego County.  

The journey down the yellow brick road to affordable housing in San Diego has been paved with dedication, resilience, and the unwavering spirit of community. For the San Diego Housing Federation (SDHF), this journey has been celebrated annually since 1994, when the first seeds of the Ruby Awards were sown during their annual conference. Two years later, in 1996, the Rubies blossomed into their own standalone event, marking a significant turning point in recognizing the vital work being done.

The San Diego Housing Federation will honor Leilani Hines, Housing and Neighborhood Services Department Director at City of Oceanside, with the 2025 John Craven Public Service Memorial Award at its upcoming Ruby Awards ceremony on June 5, 2025.