RECAP: 2024 Ruby Awards

On the evening of Thursday, June 6th, the San Diego Housing Federation hosted its 34th annual Ruby Awards at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina. This esteemed event gathered 350 members of the community, including developers, advocates, policymakers, and other key stakeholders, to celebrate outstanding achievements in affordable housing development, community development, public policy, and housing advocacy.

The Ruby Awards, held annually, are a testament to the incredible efforts and dedication of individuals and organizations working tirelessly to ensure everyone in San Diego has access to safe, affordable housing. As a highly anticipated event in the housing sector, the Ruby Awards not only recognize extraordinary achievements but also inspire continued commitment and innovation in addressing the housing crisis.

This year's gathering was a vibrant celebration of the collective impact of housing advocates across the region. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation and excitement as attendees looked forward to honoring those who have made significant contributions to advancing affordable housing solutions. The evening highlighted the importance of collaboration and the powerful outcomes that can be achieved when communities come together with a shared vision. Each award presented was a reminder of the real, tangible differences being made in people's lives through dedication and hard work.

As we look back on the 34th annual Ruby Awards, it's clear that the spirit of collaboration and innovation is stronger than ever. The San Diego Housing Federation and its supporters continue to lead the charge in creating a more equitable and inclusive housing landscape. The evening at the Marriott Marquis was more than just an awards ceremony; it was a celebration of progress, hope, and the unwavering belief that everyone deserv.es a place to call home.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and nominees and express our deepest gratitude to all those who contribute to the mission of providing affordable housing. The Ruby Awards remind us that, together, we can build a brighter future for all San Diegans.

2024 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 Linda Ritchie. Linda consistently demonstrates a genuine love for her community and neighbors by helping in any way she can. Linda assists in almost every facet to help build a thriving and positive environment. From helping with weekly food distribution to preparing and serving during Holiday meals, she does it all with a warm smile and a helping hand.

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 Rozy Beluts. Under Rozy's leadership, Milejo Village offers customized support programs addressing various community needs such as food insecurity, rent delinquency, and lack of furniture and resources by partnering with organizations such as Panera Bread, Home First, Humble Design, and many others. She takes pride in her ability to facilitate positive change within the community, one resident at a time.

Housing Champion

The Board of Directors selects the Housing Champion recipient who 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.

This year’s recipient was Senate President pro Tempore Emeritus Toni G. Atkins for her trailblazing career in public policy and embodiment of 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 for families and communities.

Exceptional Development Partner

In the category for Exceptional Development Partner, the nominees exemplify what it means to be partner who provided unique or outstanding support on an affordable housing development.

The Ruby Award for Exceptional Development Partner went to Nestor United Methodist Church. The congregation and leadership at Nestor United Methodist Church drew on their hearts, faith, and vision of “welcoming all” to transform an acre of the church’s underutilized land into studio apartments for homeless seniors. The creative approach of repurposing a viable development site makes them an outstanding partner for ending homelessness for 73 seniors.

Innovative Government Agency or Elected Official

Nominees for Innovative Government Agency or Elected Official took unusual risks or initiatives to support affordable housing and community development.

The Ruby Award for Innovative Government Agency or Elected Official went to San Diego Housing Commission’s Housing Instability Prevention Program (HIPP). SDHC operates HIPP for the City of San Diego, which is praised for looking upstream and taking a preventative approach to keep individuals from becoming homeless.

Supportive Housing Award

This award recognizes an outstanding supportive housing project or organization 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 Milejo Village. Milejo Village is quality affordable housing with supportive services that allows those who’ve faced chronic homelessness and have special needs to live with autonomy and dignity. Jamboree’s Housing With Heart resident services program offers on-site wrap-around support for tenants, coordinating everything from ESL classes and life skills training, to financial empowerment workshops, and after-school programs for kids.

Rich Juarez Advocate

This award is given to an individual whose integrity shines through in their leadership, activism, or community work in affordable housing. Honors the late Rich Juarez, a co-founder of the Housing Federation, and a lifelong community leader in affordable housing

This year’s recipient was Estela de los Rios. For over 48 years Estela has dedicated her life's work to advocacy and fighting for social justice for all individuals. She plays an important role as President of the San Diego Regional Alliance for Fair Housing and sits on the Board of Directors of six other community organizations

Special Recognition: Voice of Lived Experience Award

The Voice of Lived Experience Award is a new category introduced this year to recognize an individual with a lived experience of homelessness who has made a significant impact through their advocacy work, community engagement, and commitment to changing the narrative.

The inaugural recipient of The Voice of Lived Experience Award was David Bell. Not only is he the HEAL Network's Policy Coordinating Committee Chair, he also works full-time supporting veterans experiencing homelessness at PATH San Diego. David's passion extends beyond his work. He actively participates in policy discussions and civic engagement, becoming a sought-after speaker on various panels across the region. His firsthand experience and expertise inform policymakers, service providers, and anyone he encounters.

John Craven Public Service 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 Ruby Award went to Elyse Lowe. Elyse Lowe is a 20-year leader of San Diego governmental policy, planning and operations. Her portfolio includes expertise in land use, redevelopment, housing and transportation, resource conservation, sustainability, and fiscal management for the second largest City in California. Under her direction in 2023, DSD launched Affordable Housing Permit Now to support 100% Affordable Housing projects to impressive results

Lifetime Achievement Award

The Lifetime Achievement Award is an award exclusively determined by the San Diego Housing Federation’s Board of Directors. The recipient is someone with more than two decades of leadership, innovation, and impact in the affordable housing sector.

Recognizing his over thirty years working in affordable housing, the Board of Directors of the San Diego Housing Federation selected Jim Schmid. Jim founded Chelsea Investment Corporation in 1986 and has specialized in financing and developing affordable housing projects since 1992. Jim is a passionate advocate for the creation and preservation of safe, accessible, and affordable housing; his service to the industry has recently been acknowledged by his induction into the Building Industry Association of San Diego Hall of Fame.

Project of the Year – Rehabilitation

This award recognizes excellence in affordable housing developments that were acquisition or rehabilitation projects completed in San Diego County between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023.

The Ruby Award went to Tizon, Affirmed Housing. Tizon is a hotel-conversion development that delivers housing and on-site services to low-income seniors in San Diego’s Rancho Bernardo neighborhood. Converting an existing hotel allowed Affirmed Housing to deliver the project on an accelerated timeline of only nine months. The rapid delivery of this high-quality affordable housing community sets an example for San Diego and all of California.

Project of the Year – New Construction

This award recognizes excellence in affordable housing developments completed in San Diego County between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023.

The Ruby Award went to City Heights Place and Plaza del Sol, Wakeland Housing and Community Development. These developments have several unique characteristics that differentiate them from traditional multifamily communities, including space for exterior community groups to gather and an artistic display that pays homage to the historical significance of the site and its previous use as an American Legion Post. Being two separate tax credit deals, yet sharing the same design team, City Heights Place and Plaza del Sol were ambitious in nature. These properties provide safe, secure, and welcoming homes, and are combined with onsite resident services that promote self-sufficiency and stability, allowing residents to thrive.