California Housing Hall of Fame

Honoring Affordable Housing Heroes

The affordable housing industry in California has accomplished a lot over the past half-century. Noted for the sense of mission, for talent, experience, and effectiveness, the affordable housing sector is defined by its broad range of participants: from both private and non-profit developers, lenders and investors, to visionary public sector leaders and philanthropic foundations.  In calling attention to the heroes among us in the affordable housing effort, it is the distinct privilege of the California Housing Consortium to inaugurate those who have made a profound impact in the housing sector into the California Housing Hall of Fame. In order to be inducted into the Housing Hall of Fame, an individual or organization must demonstrate a seminal or substantial contribution toward advancing the cause of affordable housing in California.

The Board of Directors of the California Housing Consortium has conferred to recognize heroes in the field by gauging leadership characteristics such as innovation, effectiveness, inclusiveness, impact, tenure, collaborative spirit, and inspirational records of service across seven distinct categories:

Lifetime Achievement AWARDEES

This award recognizes a dedicated individual who over many years has shown a continuing commitment to affordable housing through their involvement in financing, development, investment, management, advocacy, or the legislative process that has contributed to the greater understanding and advancement of affordable housing throughout California.

  • John Huskey (2024)
  • Daniel B. Lopez (2024)
  • Alice Talcott (2024)
  • Rob Wiener (2023)
  • Carol Galante (2022)
  • Mary Kaiser (2022)
  • Robin Hughes (2022)
  • Sue Reynolds (2020)
  • Mike Alvidrez (2019)
  • Mary Murtagh (2018)
  • Hunter Johnson (2017)
  • Peter Carey (2016)
  • Jeanne Peterson (2015)
  • Will Cooper, Sr. (2014)
  • Gary Squier (2013)
  • Margaret Schrand (2012)
  • Christine Minnehan (2011)
  • Maureen Higgins (2011)
  • Beverly Fretz-Brown (2010)
  • Theresa Parker (2009)
  • Fran Wagstaff (2008)
  • Janet Falk (2007)
  • John Stewart (2006)
  • Don Terner (2006)
  • Senator Alan Cranston (2006)
  • Arnold Sternberg (2006)

Public Sector AWARDEES

This award recognizes elected or appointed officials serving in the public sector who have demonstrated an unyielding commitment not only to the affordable housing. These individuals have demonstrated exceptional skill in guiding key legislation, championing administrative reform, or eliminating barriers and helping advance affordable housing either locally or statewide.

  • Jacky Morales Ferrand (2023)
  • Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (2022)
  • Senator Mike Crapo (2018)
  • Assemblymember Richard Bloom (2018)
  • Assemblymember David Chiu (2018)
  • Senator Barbara Boxer (2017)
  • California Emerging Technology Fund (2016)
  • Richard Gentry, San Diego Housing Commission (2015)
  • Bill Huang, City of Pasadena (2014)
  • Toni Atkins – California State Assemblymember (2013)
  • Cathy Creswell – California Department of Housing & Community Development (2012)
  • Leslye Corsiglia – City of San Jose (2012)
  • Mark DeSaulnier – California State Senator (2011)
  • Bill Pavao – California Tax Credit Allocation Committee (2010)
  • Lynn Jacobs – California Department of Housing & Community Development (2010)
  • Phil Angelides – California State Treasurer (2008)
  • Alex Sanchez – Santa Clara Housing Authority and CHC Founder (2007)
  • Judy Nevis – CA Dept. of Housing and Community Development (2007)
  • Betsy Morris – San Diego Housing Commission (2007)
  • Sen. Min. Leader Dick Ackerman (2007)
  • Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez (2007)
  • Senate President Don Perata (2007)
  • Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (2007)
  • The Honorable John Burton (2006)
  • The Honorable David Roberti (2006)

Private Sector AWARDEES

An industry visionary who not only understands the complexity of affordable housing, but has taken a leadership role in advancing the development, financing, or investing in affordable housing projects that add value to local communities and enhance the lives of the people who become affordable housing residents.

  • Jack Gardner – The John Stewart Company (2019)
  • Michael Costa – Highridge Costa Companies (2018)
  • Thomas Safran – Thomas Safran & Associates (2016)
  • USA Properties Fund (2015)
  • Lucy Dunn – Orange County Business Council (2014)
  • Patrick Sabelhaus (2013)
  • Natalie Gubb – Gubb & Barshay (2012)
  • Affirmed Housing Group (2011)
  • Silicon Valley Leadership Group (2010)
  • Union Bank of California (2009)
  • Mortgage (2008)
  • Keeley Kirkendall – PNC ARCS Commercial
    AMCAL Multi-Housing (2007)
  • AF Evans Company, Inc (2007)
  • The Related Companies of California (2006)

Non-Profit Sector AWARDEES

An individual or organization involved in the development, financing, management or advocacy of affordable housing. These individuals or organizations have demonstrated skill in creating and maintaining key public-private-nonprofit partnerships that over the course of many years has resulted in commendable developments/communities.

Individuals

  • Marina Wiant (2024)
  • Cesar Covarrubias – The Kennedy Commission (2018)
  • Bernard Deasy – Merritt Community Capital Corporation (2015)
  • Joel Rubenzahl – Community Economics (2014)
  • Matt Schwartz – California Housing Partnership Corporation (2013)
  • Dianne Spaulding – Executive Director, Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California
  • G. Allan Kingston – Vice Chairman of the Board, National Community Renaissance Corporation
  • Carol Galante – President, BRIDGE Housing Corporation

Organizations

  • Wakeland Housing & Community Development Corporation (2011)
  • Self-Help Home Improvement Project (2006)
  • Self-Help Enterprises (2006)
  • Satellite Housing Inc. (2006)
  • Rural Community Housing Development Corporation (2006)
  • People’s Self-Help Housing (2006)
  • Palo Alto Housing Corporation (2006)
  • Orange County Community Housing Corp. (2007)
  • Oakland Community Housing, Inc. (2006)
  • National Farm Workers Service Center (2008)
  • Mid-Peninsula Housing Coalition (2006)
  • Mercy Housing (2007)
  • LifeSTEPS (2012)
  • LA Community Design Center (2007)
  • Jamboree Housing Corporation (2010)
  • Human Investment Project (2006)
  • Eden Housing (2006)
  • East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (2006)
  • EAH (2006)
  • Community Housing Works (2007)
  • Community Housing Improvement Program (2006)
  • Christian Church Homes (2006)
  • Century Housing (2016)
  • Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (2007)
  • Burbank Housing (2007)
  • A Community of Friends (2009)

Community Development Lending/Philanthropic Sector AWARDEES

An individual, foundation, or charitable giving arm of a corporation or bank that has shown a continuing commitment to affordable housing through charitable contributions, program related investments, or ongoing efforts to revitalize neighborhoods through economic and housing equity investments.

  • Lisa Gutierrez, U.S. Bank (2023)
  • The Bank of America Merrill Lynch Low-Income Housing Challenge (2016)
  • Golden State Acquisition Fund (2015)
  • Enterprise Community Partners (2014)
  • The San Francisco Foundation (2013)
  • Sobrato Family Foundation (2010)
  • California Community Reinvestment Corporation (2009)
  • California Community Foundation (2007)
  • S.H. Cowell Foundation (2007)
  • Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (2006)
  • Alan Stein – JMP Securities (2008)
  • Nancy McLaughlin – Managing Director, National Lending & Housing Programs, Low Income Investment Fund

The Dianne Spaulding Local Leadership Award AWARDEES

A regional champion whose work in the affordable housing industry has greatly impacted their local area. This award, created in 2014, was named after the former Executive Director of the Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California who, through her 30 years of leadership, elevated the importance of affordable housing to new levels in Northern California.

  • Ann Sewill – California Community Foundation (2019)
  • Mark Trotz – Housing for Health (2016)
  • Kevin Zwick – Housing Trust Silicon Valley (2015)
  • Shiloh Ballard – Silicon Valley Leadership Group (2015)
  • Dianne Spaulding – NPH (2014)

Collaboration Award AWARDEES

Created for CHC’s 20th anniversary, this award recognized individuals awardees for the energy, passion, and collaborative spirit they demonstrated as they tackled California’s housing affordability crisis. We are proud to partner with these outstanding individuals and their organizations to strengthen California’s communities and uplift families.

  • Amie Fishman – Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern CA
  • Alan Greenlee – Southern CA Association of Non-Profit Housing
  • Lisa Hershey – Housing California
  • Ray Pearl – California Housing Consortium
  • Stephen Russell – San Diego Housing Federation
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