A Newsletter For Our Friends & Partners                                                        
September 2007

SAN DIEGO HOUSING COMMISSION PRESIDENT & CEO ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
Elizabeth C. Morris To Complete 35-Year Career In Affordable Housing
 
News Release
September 13, 2007
 
After 35 years of dedicated service in the affordable housing and community development field, Elizabeth C. Morris, President & CEO of the San Diego Housing Commission, announced today that she will retire, effective January 15, 2008.
 
Morris joined the Housing Commission in 1979 shortly after its formation. Since becoming President & CEO in 1994, she has grown the public agency from a fledgling traditional housing authority to a comprehensive, multi-faceted organization that provides affordable housing opportunities to more than 80,000 lower income individuals each year. During her tenure, the agency's budget has grown from $95 million to $231 million, and the breadth of programs and services has expanded exponentially.
 
"Betsy is highly respected for her program achievements and her policy leadership both locally and nationally," said San Diego City Council President Scott Peters. "She has built the Housing Commission into a nationally recognized agency by merging sound business practices and fiscal accountability with compassion and heart for the people her agency serves."
 
Click here to continue reading the news release.

A Lifetime Of Achievement
Since Elizabeth C. Morris joined the San Diego Housing Commission in 1979, the agency has:
  • served more than 750,000 lower income individuals through myriad housing assistance programs
  • facilitated the development of nearly 25,000 homes (of which 12,000 are currently affordable) by providing $135.2 million in direct loans and $815.3 million in bonds
  • helped 4,300 families purchase their first home and assisted 10,000 owners of homes in need of repair
  • crafted bold policy initiatives that advance affordable housing production, such as Inclusionary Housing and a Housing Trust Fund
  • spearheaded collaborations to provide supportive housing for people with special needs
  • helped families achieve their dreams by offering programs in career planning, job training, financial literacy, academic tutoring and homeownership education
  • applied private-sector management principles to ensure streamlined operations and fiscal accountability, as evidenced in low overhead of only 7 percent.

Click here to read Ms. Morris' biography.

A Message From Elizabeth C. Morris
BetsyMorrisPhoto2007Dear Colleagues,
 
It has been my honor to serve as President & CEO of the San Diego Housing Commission since 1994, capping a 35-year career in affordable housing and community development.

The San Diego Housing Commission has offered me an extraordinary opportunity to affect the lives of thousands of San Diego families. Working with talented and committed employees, we have created a dynamic organization that has helped more than 750,000 individuals since 1979.

I also take great pride in knowing that the Housing Commission is embarking on an exciting new era. We have completed the agency's relocation to an environmentally friendly, transit-oriented office building that is providing improved access and service to our clients.

Additionally, we have just learned that our groundbreaking public housing proposal has been approved by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. This will allow us to remove our 1,366 public housing apartments from the underfunded federal program and leverage our real estate assets to build additional housing. The companion application for Section 8 tenant protection vouchers is pending approval. This was a critical strategy in maintaining our agency's fiscal health and protecting our residents, and I am pleased that it is coming to fruition.

It has been rewarding to work with an array of dedicated elected officials, and with the many appointed Housing Commissioners who, over the years, have volunteered their time and expertise to serve on our board. These fine individuals have embraced our mission, devoted their skills to help us serve our community and supported me in chartering new paths.

Among the memories I take away from my time spent here are the struggles and triumphs made possible through strong working relationships forged with private companies and public institutions, advocacy organizations and community groups, and many, many special individuals here and across the country. For every phone call returned, each request for advice answered, and every task force that folks agreed to join, I owe so many people a debt of gratitude and friendship.

Thank you for innumerable opportunities to influence housing policy at all levels of government. This has truly been the career of a lifetime!

Betsy
 
                   
SDHCLogo
The San Diego Housing Commission is a public agency working to expand affordable housing opportunities in the City of San Diego. Each year, the agency helps 80,000 low-income individuals with affordable housing through award-winning programs that benefit the city's economy and revitalize neighborhoods. The agency also finances affordable housing development and advises the San Diego City Council on housing policy matters. Learn more: www.sdhc.org.