An external-facing forum bringing together SDHF members and key local and state agencies responsible for housing regulation and oversight.
As affordable housing developers navigate rising construction costs, limited resources, lengthy development timelines, and growing sustainability goals, new housing products and construction approaches are creating opportunities to rethink how homes are designed and built.
Join the San Diego Housing Federation for Emerging Housing Typologies: From Innovation to Application, the next event in our Fundamentals of Affordable Housing: Design and Development series, presented by San Diego Habitat for Humanity.
This morning gathering will bring together industry leaders working with innovative building systems, materials, and housing models. Rather than discussing innovation only in theory, the conversation will examine how these approaches can be applied within real affordable housing projects.
Panelists will share the products and construction methods they are advancing, the populations and projects for which they may be best suited, and the practical considerations that developers and their partners should understand before pursuing them.
Event Details
Thursday, September 3
8:30 am to 11:30 am
Location: 4747 Viewridge Avenue, San Diego, CA 92123
The discussion will explore:
• How emerging housing typologies can help address construction costs and development timelines
• Opportunities to improve sustainability, durability, design, and scalability
• How new systems interact with financing, permitting, procurement, and regulatory requirements
• The types of projects and populations that may benefit most from these approaches
• Barriers to broader adoption and what is needed to move from pilot projects to wider application
• Lessons learned from implementing innovative construction methods in real-world settings
Confirmed speakers include:
Vino Pajanor, Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego
Sharing Catholic Charities’ experience exploring an innovative foam-based building system and its potential applications for housing development.
Charles Bullard, LifeBox
Sharing LifeBox’s approach to innovative housing production and the opportunities it may offer for communities seeking flexible and scalable housing solutions.
Additional speakers representing the mass timber industry is also being invited to join the conversation.
The program will include a moderated panel discussion, audience questions, opportunities for peer learning, and time to connect with colleagues over coffee.
This event is designed for affordable housing developers, architects, designers, general contractors, public agency representatives, policy professionals, advocates, emerging professionals, students, and others interested in expanding housing production throughout San Diego County.
About the Series
Fundamentals of Affordable Housing: Design and Development is a professional learning series that strengthens sector knowledge through real-world case studies and candid conversations. The series explores how affordable housing projects are designed, financed, approved, and built in San Diego County, with an emphasis on collaboration, problem-solving, and lessons learned.
All sessions are hosted as welcoming morning gatherings with coffee, creating space for professional learning, conversation, and connection across the disciplines involved in delivering affordable housing.
For more information, please contact:
Sarah Buchanan, Executive Vice President
The Policy Committee assists in developing and implementing San Diego Housing Federation’s local, state, and federal policy positions. The Committee also monitors affordable housing programs, local land-use policies, and state and local legislation.
This forum is for members to share real-time regulatory, legislative, and policy challenges impacting projects. This work group focuses on peer-to-peer updates, collective problem-solving, and coordinated advocacy strategies across the membership
The SHRSA Committee, is a peer learning group made up of property managers and resident services coordinators working in the affordable housing sector. The committee collaborates with SDHF’s civic engagement and advocacy efforts by identifying opportunities to educate and share information with members and residents.
2026 Affordable Housing & Community Development Conference
Join us for a property tour in our Fundamentals of Affordable Housing: Design and Development series presented by San Diego Habitat for Humanity, featuring the Kimball Highland community developed by CHW.
This guided site visit and conversation will explore how design decisions are made in the context of feasibility, policy, and community needs. Participants will hear directly from the project team about how they navigated challenges from concept through completion, and the lessons that continue to shape their work.
Event Details
Friday, October 23
8:30 am to 11:30 am
Location: 1221 D Avenue, National City, CA 91950
About the Community
Holistically connecting families and older adults with health, affordable housing, transportation, and community engagement, the Kimball Highland Master Plan will integrate affordable housing for families, a federally qualified health center, PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) in a transit-oriented village close to a senior nutrition center, shopping, cultural institutions, and a beautifully refurbished public park that connects by bikeway to the San Diego Bay. Kimball Highland puts residents at the center of a rich tapestry of services and amenities where they can be supported and honored in an intentionally intergenerational neighborhood. The partners are intent on creating a space where agencies can spend less time and resources overcoming barriers of transportation, isolation, outreach and more time serving, integrating, and empowering families and older adults.
The Kimball Highland Master Plan will look at the central neighborhood of National City as a comprehensive and transformative master plan covering two sites, infrastructure improvements, residential family and senior units (to promote aging-in-place). Community HousingWorks will develop, own, and manage these affordable homes, augmented by its award-winning resident services programming for next generation success and family financial fitness.
San Ysidro Health (SYH) is a leading safety-net provider of critical primary health services in the San Diego Region, as the second largest health center network in San Diego. The PACE Center will serve up to 500 clients, while the Federally-Qualified Clinic will serve the entire community.
What to Expect
This property tour is designed as a live case study. Participants will explore:
Project vision, goals, and population served
Development and design approach
Key challenges during planning, approvals, and construction
How the team navigated tradeoffs and constraints
Post occupancy reflections, including what worked and what could be improved
Lessons learned to inform future affordable housing developments
The experience will include guided touring, facilitated discussion, and time for informal connection.
For more information, please contact:
Sarah Buchanan, Executive Vice President
Join us as we celebrate this year's 35 years with special recognition of our Affordable Housing Management Academy graduates!
This forum is for members to share real-time regulatory, legislative, and policy challenges impacting projects. This work group focuses on peer-to-peer updates, collective problem-solving, and coordinated advocacy strategies across the membership
Join us for the first property tour in our Fundamentals of Affordable Housing: Design and Development series Presented by San Diego Habitat for Humanity, featuring the ShoreLINE community developed by Affirmed Housing.
This guided site visit and conversation will explore how design decisions are made in the context of feasibility, policy, and community needs. Participants will hear directly from the project team about how they navigated challenges from concept through completion, and the lessons that continue to shape their work.
Event Details
Thursday, August 6
8:00 am to 11:30 am
Location: 4470 Alvarado Canyon Road, San Diego, CA 92120
Agenda
8:30 am | Registration Opens
9:00 am | Welcome, Coffee, and Networking
9:30 am | Meet the Project Team and Project Overview
10:00 am | Audience Q and A
10:10 am | Guided Property Tour
Tour highlights may include residential units, community spaces, and additional property features to be confirmed. Tours may be divided into two groups running simultaneously.
11:00 am | Closing and Adjourn
About the ShoreLINE Community
ShoreLINE is a transit oriented affordable housing community located just north of Interstate 8 and adjacent to the MTS trolley line.
The development includes 126 units serving a range of household sizes and income levels, with affordability set between 30 percent and 60 percent of Area Median Income.
Unit Mix
• 38 studios
• 23 one bedroom units
• 32 two bedroom units
• 33 three bedroom units
This mix supports individuals, families, and larger households, reflecting the diverse housing needs within the region.
Project Highlights
• Transit oriented development with direct access to public transportation
• Deep affordability levels, including 37 units at 30 percent AMI
• Collaborative financing structure including public and private partners
• Designed to balance density, livability, and long term community integration
Funding Partners Include
California Bank and Trust
Banner Bank
Boston Financial
San Diego Housing Commission
City of San Diego
California Department of Housing and Community Development
California Debt Limit Allocation Committee
California Tax Credit Allocation Committee
What to Expect
This property tour is designed as a live case study. Participants will explore:
Project vision, goals, and population served
Development and design approach
Key challenges during planning, approvals, and construction
How the team navigated tradeoffs and constraints
Post occupancy reflections, including what worked and what could be improved
Lessons learned to inform future affordable housing developments
The experience will include guided touring, facilitated discussion, and time for informal connection.
Project Team
Affirmed Housing – Developer
Studio E Architects – Architect
HA Builders – Construction
Compass for Affordable Housing – Resident Services
MTS
SANDAG
ConAm - Property Management
For more information, please contact:
Sarah Buchanan, Executive Vice President
An external-facing forum bringing together SDHF members and key local and state agencies responsible for housing regulation and oversight.
The SHRSA Committee, is a peer learning group made up of property managers and resident services coordinators working in the affordable housing sector. The committee collaborates with SDHF’s civic engagement and advocacy efforts by identifying opportunities to educate and share information with members and residents.
One of SDHF’s signature events, the annual Ruby Awards is the county’s largest affordable housing industry recognition event honoring the best people, projects, and achievements during the past year.
An external-facing forum bringing together SDHF members and key local and state agencies responsible for housing regulation and oversight.
The SHRSA Committee, is a peer learning group made up of property managers and resident services coordinators working in the affordable housing sector. The committee collaborates with SDHF’s civic engagement and advocacy efforts by identifying opportunities to educate and share information with members and residents.
The Policy Committee assists in developing and implementing San Diego Housing Federation’s local, state, and federal policy positions. The Committee also monitors affordable housing programs, local land-use policies, and state and local legislation.
This forum is for members to share real-time regulatory, legislative, and policy challenges impacting projects. This work group focuses on peer-to-peer updates, collective problem-solving, and coordinated advocacy strategies across the membership
SOLD OUT! Join us for the kickoff event of the Design and Development series, featuring a panel of leading affordable housing architects sharing real-world insights on design, collaboration, and lessons learned in practice.
An external-facing forum bringing together SDHF members and key local and state agencies responsible for housing regulation and oversight.
The Supportive Housing & Resident Services Academy is an offset of the School of Affordable Housing and provides affordable housing professionals with meaningful and practical support through educational forums, networking opportunities, and peer learning.
This forum is for members to share real-time regulatory, legislative, and policy challenges impacting projects. This work group focuses on peer-to-peer updates, collective problem-solving, and coordinated advocacy strategies across the membership
The Policy Committee assists in developing and implementing San Diego Housing Federation’s local, state, and federal policy positions. The Committee also monitors affordable housing programs, local land-use policies, and state and local legislation.
The Affordable Housing Management Academy is hosting a job fair at MiraCosta College, connecting their students and alumni with top employers in the affordable housing field.
The Policy Committee assists in developing and implementing San Diego Housing Federation’s local, state, and federal policy positions. The Committee also monitors affordable housing programs, local land-use policies, and state and local legislation.
As part of our ongoing commitment to fostering collaborative efforts and staying at the forefront of critical developments, we are excited to introduce this monthly roundtable discussion.
Join us for an engaging Membership Committee meeting where we focus on growing and strengthening our organization by connecting with potential new members
The Policy Committee assists in developing and implementing San Diego Housing Federation’s local, state, and federal policy positions. The Committee also monitors affordable housing programs, local land-use policies, and state and local legislation.
The Supportive Housing & Resident Services Academy, a branch of the School of Affordable Housing, offers affordable housing professionals valuable, practical resources through educational forums, networking events, and peer learning opportunities.
The Institute is a one-day immersive training event, designed to foster collaboration and learning among supportive housing and resident services providers.
San Diego Seals Nonprofit Night Honoring San Diego Housing Federation
We are honored to be featured at San Diego Seals Nonprofit Night on Sunday, March 1 at 3:00 pm at Pechanga Arena.
This special game celebrates local nonprofits making a meaningful impact across San Diego. A portion of every fundraiser ticket purchased will support the San Diego Housing Federation’s advocacy, education, and coalition-building work to advance affordable housing and basic needs throughout the region.
Attendees can enjoy discounted fundraiser tickets, a lively game-day atmosphere, and opportunities to celebrate SDHF throughout the event, including a videoboard shout-out and an on-field photo with our team.
We invite our staff, board members, partners, friends, and community supporters to join us for a fun and meaningful afternoon of community, connection, and cheering on the home team.
As part of our ongoing commitment to fostering collaborative efforts and staying at the forefront of critical developments, we are excited to introduce this monthly roundtable discussion.
Whether you’re new to housing advocacy or looking for a refresher, this session is designed to be informative, accessible, and empowering.
The Policy Committee assists in developing and implementing San Diego Housing Federation’s local, state, and federal policy positions. The Committee also monitors affordable housing programs, local land-use policies, and state and local legislation.
Are you ready to take your leadership to the next level? Board applications for the San Diego Housing Federation are now open. Join a team of dedicated professionals working to solve the housing crisis through advocacy, education, and collaboration
Happy Holidays! The SDHF team is stepping away for a much-needed break over the holiday season. We are grateful for your partnership this past year and look forward to seeing you all and making an even bigger impact when we return in the New Year!
The Policy Committee assists in developing and implementing San Diego Housing Federation’s local, state, and federal policy positions. The Committee also monitors affordable housing programs, local land-use policies, and state and local legislation.
The San Diego Housing Federation is pleased to be working with the City of San Diego to host a monthly forum with the Development Services Department and SDHF members.
