Special thanks to our title sponsor: Merritt Community Capital
Thank you to those who attended the California Housing Consortium’s 2023 Policy Forum and Housing Hall of Fame Awards in Anaheim on September 7th.
Ann Silverberg, CHC’s Board Chair, started the day welcoming our attendees from across the state.
Shazia Manji, a Research Associate with the UC Berkeley Terner Center for Housing Innovation presented their recent findings on the implementation of SB 35 (Wiener), which streamlines approvals for certain multifamily housing developments. Between 2018 and 2021, over 18,000 units were approved for SB 35 streamlining or had a pending application. Of these, the vast majority of them are in developments that are 100% affordable and SB 35 has become the default approach for many affordable developers. Shazia described a learning curve for implementing SB 35 and how use of the law became easier and more common over time as jurisdictions and developers learned to navigate it. Following Shazia’s presentation, several CHC members shared their own success with using SB 35 for their developments. To read the full report click here.
Next, Laura Archuleta, President and CEO of Orange County-based Jamboree Housing, moderated a Q & A with Lucy Dunn from the Orange County Business Council, Helen O’Sullivan with NeighborWorks Orange County, and Michael Massi with Jamboree Housing. Panelists discussed the unique housing challenges in Orange County and how they engaged Disney to invest in and partner with affordable housing developers to provide workforce housing for the surrounding community.
Finally, CHC board member, Lisa Gutierrez from U.S. Bank moderated a panel with Cedric Bobo, CEO and co-founder of Project Destined, Robin Hughes with the Housing Partnership Network and Linda Mandolini with Eden Housing. They discussed how HPN and Project Destined came together to create the Affordable Housing Bridge Program last fall, with Eden Housing and Beacon Communities as the sponsors of first cohort. The program has now expanded to an 8-week intensive program designed to expose diverse college students to multiple career pathways in the affordable housing industry and will train 500 Project Destined alumni per year.
It was a privilege to honor this year’s distinguished group of inductees into the California Housing Hall of Fame. We were pleased to recognize the following affordable housing industry champions: Lisa Gutierrez, Rob Wiener and Jacky Morales Ferrand.
Lisa Gutierrez is on the CHC Board of Directors and is Vice President and Director of Business Development for Affordable Housing Development at U.S. Bank.
Rob Wiener is the Executive Director of the California Coalition for Rural Housing.
Jacky Morales Ferrand recently retired her role as Director of Housing at the City of San José.
We are fortunate to have the support of our phenomenal group of sponsors. We look forward to having you back in 2024.
