CSH Supportive Housing Award

By Simonne Ruff, Director of CSH San Diego

For the first time ever, Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) San Diego sponsored a Supportive Housing Award at the San Diego Housing Federation 14th Annual Affordable Housing and Community Development Recognition Awards, with the theme of "Honoring Commitment to Community." This new award is one of the critical elements of a marketing plan that CSH developed in close partnership with SDSVP. The celebration enabled CSH to reach over 400 affordable housing developers, reinforcing our messages about supportive housing in the development community. In fact, CSH was pleased to see the committee couldn’t just decide on one winner. Two Supportive Housing Award winners were recognized at the event: The San Diego Regional Continuum of Care and Supportive Housing developer Kimberly Russell-Shaw.

The San Diego Regional Continuum of Care Council (RCCC) is comprised of broad and diverse social service providers representing local governments, community based organizations, homeless advocates, policy and planning groups, and others interested in lessening the negative impact of homelessness on individuals, families, and communities. The RCCC brought $14.2 million in annual HUD funding to the region and received maximum Shelter Plus Care and Supportive Housing Program funds in 2008. Patricia Leslie, coordinator of the RCCC and social work professor at Pt. Loma Nazarene University, received the award on behalf of the Continuum of Care.

Another deserving award recipient of the CSH Supportive Housing Award was Kimberly Russell-Shaw, Executive Director of The Association for Community Housing Solutions (TACHS). Under her leadership, TACHS developed over 140 units of permanent supportive housing for low-income San Diegans with mental illness. While successfully managing a portfolio of rehab projects, master leased units, and new construction, TACHS had to overcome significant NIMBY ("Not In My Backyard") issues. Ms. Shaw has served not only as a project manager, but also as an advocate, defender of rights, and educator for neighbors about special needs populations. She is an inspirational leader and pioneer in providing supportive housing.