CHC welcomed a crowd of over three hundred affordable housing leaders to this year’s Policy Forum & Housing Hall of Fame Awards in Santa Monica, on May 11, 2017. Special thanks goes to our 20th Anniversary Title Sponsor, CHASE.
The program featured a federal policy discussion with housing policy experts, an inspiring speech from former Senator Barbara Boxer, and the acknowledgement of six champions in our field who have made a substantial contribution towards advancing affordable housing throughout California.
The day started with a federal policy update from by David A. Smith from Recap Advisors and David Gasson from Boston Capital. David Gasson detailed the larger political context and discussed federal housing policy changes we should and should not anticipate and their potential impact on the delivery of affordable housing. David Smith advised on how to effectively create change while operating within the current political climate, while also offering possible policy solutions to some of the housing challenges we face here in California. View their entire slideshow here.
We then welcomed Former United States Senator, Barbara Boxer, who spoke about some of the challenges she overcame during the three decades she served in Washington D.C. and how we must be inspired and not afraid to confront the challenges of today if we are to succeed. In an especially unforgettable moment, Boxer won over the crowd by signing a ballad she wrote about her push to make the members-only Senate gym women-friendly.
Senator Boxer discussed the importance of a stable home and how integral housing is to every facet of life. She shared her favorite literary verses about housing as a way to reflect on the issue as something that is deep, complicated, tough, but vital.
It was an honor to have former Senator Boxer join us and we look forward to seeing her cement her legacy in the years to come as a tough leader, a fighter for the environment, and a protector of California values.
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We had the privilege of honoring a distinguished group of inductees into the California Housing Hall of Fame. This year we were pleased to recognize the following affordable housing industry all-stars:
Visionary Award – Senator Barbara Boxer
Collaboration Awards were presented to:
Lisa Hershey, Housing California
Stephen Russell, San Diego Housing Commission
Amie Fishman, Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California
Alan Greenlee, Southern California Association of Non Profit Housing
CHC’s very own Ray Pearl was surprised with a collaboration award in recognition of his leadership, dedication, and collaborative spirit.
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We finished our day with a presentation of CHC’s 20th anniversary video, which offered a look back to the founding of CHC and highlights two decades of representing the development, building, financial, and public sectors united in their goal that every Californian has a safe, affordable place to call home.
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| 20th Anniversary California Housing Consortium |
During our 20th anniversary we are fortunate to have the support from the following companies that allow us to carry out our mission each and every day:
The success of our event would not be possible without our amazing group of sponsors. We sincerely appreciate your support and look forward to having you all back in 2018!
Table Sponsors:
BBVA Compass, California Community Foundation, CAL Housing Finance Agency, Century Housing, Cohn Reznick, EAH Housing, Goldfarb Lipman LLP, Hunt Mortgage Group, Meta Housing, Novogradac & Company LLP, San Diego Housing Commission, Umpqua Bank
Would you like to see more photos from the event?
Click here for the photo gallery, sponsored by Valued Housing.