SDHF Recognizes Leilani Hines as the 2025 Recipient of the John Craven Public Service Memorial Ruby Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 14, 2025
Contact: Sarah Buchanan, Executive Vice President
San Diego Housing Federation
918-809-1927
The San Diego Housing Federation Recognizes Leilani Hines as the 2025 Recipient of the John Craven Public Service Memorial Ruby Award
The 35th Annual Ruby Awards Celebrates Leadership, Innovation and Impact in Affordable Housing
SAN DIEGO – 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.
A 30-year leader in governmental policy, planning, and operations, Ms. Hines has built a distinguished career across the cities of Carlsbad, Chula Vista, and now Oceanside. Her comprehensive portfolio includes development processes, planning, grants management, financing, and asset management. A steadfast champion for affordable housing and equitable communities, Hines is dedicated to providing housing opportunities for lower income families and individuals experiencing homelessness, improving quality of life and promoting economic mobility.
Ms. Hines has led the creation of a $35 million affordable housing loan portfolio and supported the development of nearly 3,000 affordable housing units—more than 700 of which are currently in Oceanside’s pipeline. Her leadership in pandemic response resulted in a $17 million emergency rent and utility assistance program. She was also instrumental in opening Oceanside’s first 24/7 navigation center, securing $6 million in federal and County funding, and facilitating an $11.4 million award from the State to support housing and services for homeless individuals in Oceanside and Carlsbad. In March 2025, she oversaw the launch of a safe parking program for up to 25 vehicles.
A well-known advocate for thoughtful housing policy, Hines has been a driving force behind inclusionary housing and density bonus policy updates across three major cities. She has served as project manager and author for Chula Vista’s Housing Element updates for three decades, and contributed significantly to Oceanside’s 6th cycle Housing Element, as well as various strategic plans including HUD’s Consolidated Plan and the Public Housing Agency Plan.
Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies and Planning from UC San Diego and a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning from Cal Poly Pomona.
Each year, the Board of Directors selects a recipient of the prestigious award. The John Craven Public Service Memorial Award is presented to a public employee who has taken risks and has gone above and beyond the call of duty to assist affordable housing developers. Given in memory of John Craven, one of San Diego’s most prominent housing development officials, this award includes $1,000 donation from the Craven family to a nonprofit organization of the winner’s choosing.
“Leilani Hines embodies the spirit of public service that the John Craven Award was created to honor. Her leadership has directly improved the lives of thousands across our region—through bold policy work, strategic resource development, and an unwavering commitment to housing equity. We are proud to recognize her extraordinary contributions and lifelong dedication to building stronger, more inclusive communities,” said Stephen Russell, President and CEO of San Diego Housing Federation.
The signature event is the country’s largest affordable housing industry recognition event honoring the best people, projects, and achievements during the past year. The 35th annual Ruby Awards will be held June 5, 2025, from 5:30 – 10 p.m. at the San Diego Marriott Marquis and Marina. Tickets are available. For more information on the 2025 Ruby Awards, please visit https://www.housingsandiego.org/events-2/annual-ruby-awards-9zd6e.
The additional Ruby Awards categories include: Outstanding Resident Leader, Outstanding Service to Residents, Rich Juarez Advocate, Outstanding Gov Agency or Elected Official, Supportive Housing Award, Voice of Lived Experience, Outstanding Mentor, John Craven Public Service Memorial Award, Project of the Year: Rehab, and Project of the Year: New Construction.
San Diego Housing Federation
The San Diego Housing Federation is the region’s voice for affordable housing. The Federation is committed to increasing the supply of housing for San Diego’s most vulnerable families, seniors, veterans, and those living with disabilities. For more information visit, www.housingsandiego.org.
###