San Diego County CA— This spring, the San Diego Housing Federation will celebrate its annual Ruby Awards for Excellence in Affordable Housing and Community Development, and it seeks nominations through Friday, January 23. Anyone can nominate or self-nominate an individual, organization, agency or project that has made a difference by increasing access to homes that are safe, stable and affordable for San Diegans who live on limited budgets or have special needs.
San Diego is one of the most expensive places to live in the country, especially for San Diegans who live on limited budgets – working families, returning veterans, seniors or people living with mental or physical disability. More than 70 percent of San Diegans who live on very limited resources pay more than half of their monthly income towards rent. According to the San Diego Housing Federation, a widely accepted standard acknowledges that low-income households paying more than just one third of their household income towards housing costs are at risk of not having sufficient income to cover other basic necessities such as groceries, medicine, transportation and savings for an emergency.
San Diego Housing Federation’s Ruby Awards recognize excellence in the construction and preservation of affordable homes and sustainable community development. They honor the best of the development field – from people and organizations that build and finance affordable homes to those who advocate and educate the community on the issue. The awards also recognize elected officials and public agencies who are leaders on affordable housing, resident leaders from affordable communities, and achievement in improving and protecting the shared environment through energy efficient construction and sustainable design. In all, twelve awards will be granted in categories including:
- Housing Project of the Year – New Construction
- Housing Project of the Year – Rehabilitation
- CSH Supportive Housing Award
- SDG&E Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Award: New Construction
- SDG&E Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Award: Retrofit
- Outstanding Development Partner
- Outstanding Advocate
- John Craven Memorial
- Outstanding Government Agency or Elected Official
- Outstanding Resident Leader
- Outstanding Service to Residents
- Lifetime Achievement Award
San Diego Housing Federation’s Ruby Awards celebration on April 24, 2015, will also honor the organization’s 25th anniversary of working countywide to increase the availability of and investment in affordable homes. Nearly, four hundred housing and community development professionals from across the region and state, including top elected officials and community leaders, will be in attendance. To learn more about the event and sponsorship options visit http://bit.ly/SDHFRuby
To nominate a person, project or organization, complete and submit a nomination form at http://housingsandiego.org/ruby-nominations-form/ by 5 p.m. January 23, 2015.