San Diego Housing Federation Celebrates 35 Years with 2025 Ruby Awards
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6th, 2025
San Diego Housing Federation Celebrates 35 Years with 2025 Ruby Awards
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.
A cornerstone event for SDHF, the Ruby Awards is the county’s premier celebration of excellence in affordable housing. The 2025 event drew hundreds of housing professionals, advocates, and community leaders from across California to honor standout projects, people, and programs in over a dozen categories.
The evening began with a vibrant reception in the Grand Foyer, sponsored by US Bank, where attendees enjoyed light bites and craft cocktails. At 7:30 p.m., the celebration continued in the Grand Ballroom with a dinner program emceed by Ashley Rodriguez, Government Affairs Manager at SD Community Power. Guests enjoyed a curated dinner and wine service, with red wine courtesy of San Diego Community Housing Corporation and white wine provided by Community HousingWorks.
Winners were announced in eleven categories, including “Outstanding Resident Leader,” “Supportive Housing Award,” and “Housing Project of the Year.” An esteemed cross-disciplinary jury selected the honorees, while the “Housing Champion” and “John Craven Public Service Memorial Award” were chosen by the SDHF Board of Directors.
Receiving this year’s Housing Champion award was Paul Downey, President and CEO of Serving Seniors. Under Mr. Downey's leadership and direction, Serving Seniors Downey initiated and led the 2021 Serving Seniors Needs Assessment report, a groundbreaking study focusing on older adult homelessness in San Diego. Its findings and proposed solutions are now routinely cited, driving community conversation and public policy with a new recognition of the realities of aging and poverty. His advocacy has resulted in many of the assessment’s recommendations being enacted by state and local governments.
Downey previously served as Chairman of the California Commission on Aging; the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs; and the Dean’s Advisory Board, San Diego State University College of Health and Human Services. He is a past board member of the American Society on Aging.
“The outstanding individuals like Paul Downey, dedicated organizations, and unique projects that are nominated each year is a testament to the strength of the affordable housing industry and community development in our region,” said Jimmy Silverwood, San Diego Housing Federation’s Board Chair. “Celebrating the 35th Anniversary Ruby Awards comes at an important time, as the Housing Federation continues to broaden its reach.”
“The 35th Anniversary of the Ruby Awards is not only a celebration of where we’ve been—it’s a rallying cry for where we’re going,” said Stephen Russell, President and CEO of the San Diego Housing Federation. “The passion, creativity, and courage shown by this year’s awardees fuel our continued fight for housing justice across the region.”
SDHF extends heartfelt thanks to the Selection Committee, Planning Committee, Board of Directors, staff, and the many dedicated volunteers who made the 35th Anniversary Ruby Awards possible.
Congratulations to the 2025 Ruby Award Winners!
Outstanding Resident Leader Award
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.
Winner: Dennis Larkin
Dennis Larkin has emerged as a powerful advocate for older adults who have experienced homelessness. At Talmadge Gateway and beyond, his leadership is deeply respected. Through his nonprofit ArtoutReach, Dennis offers trauma-informed creative space that helps participants heal, reclaim self-worth, and build economic stability.
Outstanding Service to Residents Award
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.
Winner: Karen Sanchez
Karen Sanchez brings a unique personal connection to her work—having grown up in a Community HousingWorks development herself. She now leads with innovation and heart, creating initiatives like the Career Pathways Program and youth financial literacy workshops that empower the next generation of residents.
Innovative Government Agency or Elected Official Award
The Outstanding Government Agency or Elected Official took unusual risks or initiatives to support affordable housing and community development.
Winner: San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS)
In an innovative approach, MTS has demonstrated exceptional leadership by leveraging its land assets to address the critical need for affordable housing, a move that extends beyond their traditional transportation mission. This significant shift has been further amplified by the forging of impactful new partnerships, such as their collaboration with the San Diego Foundation. MTS has shown foresight by investing in crucial infrastructure improvements, including city-owned water and sewer systems, areas that typically fall outside the scope of a transit agency. This willingness to think creatively and act decisively makes them a groundbreaking force in our community.
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.
Winner: Wakeland Wellness Coordinator Program
This initiative stands out for its unwavering focus on empowering residents in permanent supportive housing and fostering their long-term housing stability. The Wakeland Wellness Coordinator Program boasts an extraordinary 99% engagement rate alongside an equally impressive 96% housing retention rate. These figures speak volumes about the program's effectiveness and the dedication of the individuals who drive it. Furthermore, the impact of this Program extends beyond its immediate community. Its thoughtful and effective model holds significant potential for scalability and replicability, offering a valuable blueprint that can be adapted and implemented in other communities striving to achieve similar positive outcomes and broaden its positive influence.
Above & Beyond Mentor in Workforce Development Award
Honoring exceptional leadership and dedication to mentoring future leaders in affordable housing management, this award celebrates those who empower individuals, foster growth, and inspire excellence in building stronger, more equitable communities.
Winner: Michelle Sites, VP of Southern California Affordable Housing at CONAM Management Corporation
Michelle is a true inspiration to her mentees, serving as their biggest cheerleader and guiding them not just with advice, but through the powerful example of her own journey and success in the sector. Her mentees share how her story instills hope and possibility, demonstrating that they too can achieve their goals. One mentee gratefully acknowledges Michelle for believing in them even before they believed in themselves, highlighting her profound impact on their confidence and aspirations.
Rich Juarez Advocate Award
An Outstanding Advocate is an individual or organization who raises their voice so that we can all raise ours.
Winner: Crystal Hernandez
In her dedication and impact, Crystal reflects many of the qualities for which Rich was so deeply admired: exceptional leadership, unwavering activism, and profound care for our communities. As a graduate of the San Diego Rescue Mission's (SDRM) transformative Mission Academy program, her outreach has led to a 300% increase in alumni participation, a testament to the power of peer-led advocacy. Crystal's approach is both personal and strategic - through individual outreach and building vital relationships with other organizations. This tireless effort ensures that program alumni have the ongoing support they need to thrive and avoid the devastating return to homelessness.
Voice of Lived Experience Award
The Voice of Lived Experience Award recognizes 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.
These are the individuals who shine a light on the true realities faced by our most vulnerable neighbors. They are the ones who rise up, sharing their experiences with courage. Their voices spark a crucial conversation, challenging stereotypes and fostering a spirit of collaboration.
Winner: Miriam Perez.
Miriam Perez is a cornerstone of grassroots advocacy in San Diego. Her decades of experience as a Promotora and her leadership with Residents United Network and HEAL (Homeless Experienced Advocacy and Leadership) have helped amplify the voices of those too often left unheard.
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.
Winner: Leilani Hines, Housing and Neighborhood Services Director, City of Oceanside.
Leilani Hines has dedicated over 30 years to public service in various roles within the cities of Carlsbad, Chula Vista, and currently Oceanside. Her extensive experience spans development processes, planning, grants management, financing, and asset management. Ms. Hines is committed to providing quality and affordable housing opportunities for lower income families and the unsheltered, to positively impact their quality of life and economic mobility.
Housing Project of the Year – Rehab Award
This award recognizes excellence in affordable housing developments that were acquisition or rehabilitation projects completed in San Diego County between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024
Winner: The Shores at North Beach from Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation
This project exemplifies two particularly critical ingredients for successful affordable housing development. First and foremost, this stands as a testament to the power of effective community engagement. Thanks to the thoughtful and proactive strategies employed by the Wakeland Housing team, this vital development moved forward without encountering any community opposition – a significant achievement in today's environment. Secondly, this project demonstrated efficiency in its execution. Residents were able to move into their new homes a mere four months after construction commenced. This impressive speed not only addressed an urgent housing need but also offers a compelling model for future infill affordable housing rehabilitation developments throughout our region, showcasing what is possible with dedication and streamlined processes.
Housing Project of the Year – New Construction Award
This award recognizes excellence in affordable housing developments completed in San Diego County between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024.
Winner: Kimball Highland Apartments from Community HousingWorks
This project impressed the jury across all its facets. The development boasts a rich array of amenities and demonstrates a thoughtful commitment to serving a vibrant, multi-generational community of residents. From a planning and development standpoint, the jury particularly noted the seamless integration of this project within a larger, intergenerational master plan, with affordable housing serving as a cornerstone of its design. This innovative approach is also proving to be a powerful mechanism for revitalizing a key part of downtown National City, setting a remarkable precedent for holistic community development.
About 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.
For Media Inquiries, please contact:
Sarah Buchanan
Executive Vice President
San Diego Housing Federation