September 21, 2021
San Diego Housing Commission Board Chair and Commissioner Reappointed to New Terms
SAN DIEGO, CA — The San Diego City Council today confirmed Mayor Todd Gloria’s reappointment of San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) Board Chair Stefanie Benvenuto and Commissioner Eugene “Mitch” Mitchell to new four-year terms on the Board.
“I look forward to Chair Benvenuto and Commissioner Mitchell continuing to provide exceptional leadership as Board members in the years to come. They have provided valuable direction and insight for San Diego Housing Commission initiatives as we serve San Diegans with low income or experiencing homelessness,” SDHC President & CEO Richard C. Gentry said.
The SDHC Board of Commissioners reviews proposed changes to housing policy, property acquisitions, other financial commitments, and agency operations, including allocation of resources, revisions to personnel policies and annual administrative and operating budgets. The Board’s actions are advisory to the Housing Authority of the City of San Diego, which is composed of the nine members of the San Diego City Council. The Board also offers policy guidance to Housing Commission staff through its communications with SDHC’s President & CEO.
“I thank Mayor Gloria and the City Council for entrusting me to continue to serve on the San Diego Housing Commission Board. I am honored to work with an agency that approaches housing challenges with innovation and hard work to serve the people of San Diego,” Chair Benvenuto said.
“We are making progress with regard to our effort to address the affordable housing and homelessness issues in the City of San Diego, but we have plenty more that we must do. Continuing to work with my fellow Commissioners and the Housing Commission’s staff on these crucial issues is an opportunity that I sincerely appreciate the Mayor and City Council approving me to do,” Commissioner Mitchell said.
Ms. Benvenuto is the Director of Public Affairs for the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. She previously served as the Chamber’s Public Policy Manager, managing its Infrastructure, Housing & Land Use Committee, where she led efforts on housing affordability and availability. She is also a member of the Advisory Board of Housing You Matters, a broad-based coalition that convenes, advocates, and educates around solutions for increasing housing supply and lowering the cost of building new homes. SDHC is a member of Housing You Matters. In addition, she serves on the Board of Housing Development Partners, SDHC’s nonprofit affiliate.
Before joining the Chamber, she served as Director of Public Policy and Advocacy for Crittendon Services for Children & Families, a nonprofit organization that specializes in foster youth. She also worked as a District Director, Communications Director, and Field Representative for a former California State Assemblymember.
She has served as SDHC’s Chair of the Board since Commissioners elected her to the position on January 11, 2019.
Mr. Mitchell is the Senior Vice President of Diversity and Community Partnerships for Sempra, the parent company of San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and additional utility companies. He also serves on the Boards of Directors of the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles Foundation, San Diego Museum of Art, Voice of San Diego, the Sharp Hospital Board of Trustees, the Lucky Duck Foundation and the San Diego Opera. In addition, he is a member of the Leadership Council of the Community Action Plan on Homelessness for the City of San Diego.
He previously served as the Vice President of State Governmental Affairs and External Affairs for SDG&E and Southern California Gas Company. Before joining SDG&E and Southern California Gas in 2005, he served as Vice President of Public Policy and Communications for the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he previously represented American Medical Response as its Director of Governmental Relations, and served as former Mayor Susan Golding’s Assistant Director of Government Relations.
Ms. Benvenuto’s and Mr. Mitchell’s terms on the SDHC Board will expire January 2, 2025.
The San Diego Municipal Code allows SDHC Commissioners to receive compensation of $50 per SDHC Board meeting they attend, up to a maximum of $100 in any month. However, Commissioners may waive this compensation.
The SDHC Board of Commissioners consists of seven seats. The Mayor appoints Commissioners and the City Council confirms the appointments.
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Media Contact:
Scott Marshall
Vice President of Communications
San Diego Housing Commission
619-578-7138
