Press Release

Familiar name earns CalHFA Board Member Appointment

Stephen Russell joins the CalHFA Board of Directors as an appointee of the Senate Rules Committee

June 7, 2022

SACRAMENTO — The California Housing Finance Agency is pleased to welcome the return of Stephen Russell to the CalHFA Board of Directors under an appointment from the Senate Rules Committee. Until April of this year, Mr. Russell served on the Board as an appointee of the Assembly Speaker.

Mr. Russell has been the President & Chief Executive Officer of the San Diego Housing Federation since 2015. The organization’s mission is to create affordable housing opportunities for low-income people by expanding the knowledge, capacity, and influence of the affordable housing development community.

Mr. Russell has worked in community and economic development in San Diego for the past 20 years, first as Executive Director of the El Cajon Boulevard Business Improvement District, and later as advisor to then-San Diego City Council Member Toni Atkins. In addition to serving for five years as president of the nonprofit City Heights Community Development Corporation, Mr. Russell has served on the New School of Architecture Foundation Board since 2009 and is a Housing California Board Member.

"I am pleased to have Steve return to the CalHFA Board of Directors because his experience in the field of affordable housing is an incredible asset to our work," said Tiena Johnson Hall, CalHFA's Executive Director. "Steve will jump right back in, without missing a beat, to address the issues facing low and moderate Californian renters and homebuyers in this challenging housing market."

Mr. Russell earned a bachelor's degree in Architecture from the New School of Architecture and Design.

Mr. Russell replaces Mr. Jonathan Hunter, the longest serving member of the CalHFA Board since 2009, whose term expired.

The position compensation is $100 per diem.

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The California Housing Finance Agency was created in 1975 with the goal of helping more Californians find a place to call home. CalHFA is a self-supporting state agency that doesn't rely on taxpayer dollars for its operational costs. For more information on CalHFA programs, and how we are investing in diverse California communities, visit www.calhfa.ca.gov or call toll free at 877.9.CalHFA (877.922.5432).

Contact: Melissa Flores
Phone: 916.326.8092

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