Addressing Root Causes: Lack of affordable housing

Through our grantmaking and impact investing, we are focused on the housing continuum, from sheltering the homeless—to first time low income buyers—to housing for those caught in the financial middle of not being able to qualify for affordable housing, yet unable to afford market rents (also known as the “missing middle”).

While AHF is not an active investor in the following two housing projects, we share pride with our region that affordable housing is being actively addressed and are thankful to the public and private entities that have made these projects possible.

 

Home Start’s 5th multi-unit property

New start for young moms

On November 4th, the ribbon was cut for “Miracle on 34th Street,” a renovated multi-unit residential property in Normal Heights for five young women and children who are survivors of domestic violence. In addition to a safe new home, the residents will receive supportive services through Home Start and its partners.

An AHF Mission Support grantee, Home Start, reported that the property became a reality with the support of more than 65 funding partners, HomeAid San Diego and Prevost Construction, along with a dozen other companies who donated time, talent, and materials to complete the project. Learn more about Home Start here.

 

200 units for low income residents in San Diego/Mid-City

Toward ending homelessness

In other housing news, The Harris Family Senior Residence and Mid-City Family Apartments celebrated a grand opening this week of over 200 homes for low-income residents. The County of San Diego which contributed $4 million to this apartment development is supporting at least 12 other similar projects throughout the county. Watch County News and find out more here.

 

Avenue to behavioral health services

Concert Health – Impact Investment

Leveraging our impact investing portfolio, AHF participated in the early funding of Concert Health, a technology-enabled behavioral health provider that integrates remote services within primary care, women’s health, and pediatrics. Earlier this year, Concert Health successfully closed its $42M Series B financing, allowing it to further scale its behavioral health services and quality outcomes nationwide. As a result of the new financing and its planned expansion beyond San Diego, Concert paid off AHF’s note and returned the capital to the Foundation.

Our impact investment portfolio contains many types of debt and equity. We are proud to have had the opportunity to support the launch of Concert’s services in San Diego and equally proud to now have the opportunity to redeploy the capital in our community.  An exit from our portfolio offers a moment to celebrate the success of those making a positive impact in our community and also demonstrate the recyclable quality of the capital pool.

Through its use of Collaborative Care, an evidence-based model for treating depression and anxiety in primary care settings, Concert Health makes it easy for primary care and women’s health physicians to deliver high-quality behavioral health care and improve clinical outcomes. With more than 200 behavioral health clinicians and partnerships with major health organizations such as CommonSpirit and AdventHealth, Concert has already treated more than 40,000+ patients across 16 states as it continues to make integrated behavioral health services available nationwide.

 

Economic empowerment highlighted in SD Magazine

Lifting up San Diego’s Black community

“CAFÉ X: BY ANY BEANS NECESSARY, isn’t just a coffee shop. It’s a vibrant celebration of Black community. It’s a worker cooperative, founded by Khea Pollard and her mother Cynthia Ajani as a pathway to economically empower the Black community in San Diego. At Café X, it’s the workers that own a piece of the business, not a single owner or detached shareholders.” Read entire story in San Diego Magazine (page 78-79).

AHF is a proud partner of Cafe X, Khea Pollard and Khea’s other work regarding guaranteed income, through her role with Jewish Family Service of San Diego.

 

#GivingTuesday – November 29, 2022

Growing generosity worldwide

On the Tuesday after Thanksgiving (or any Tuesday for that matter) join the worldwide movement known as #GivingTuesday and give time, talent or treasure to people and organizations that you care about. GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good.

Over the past nine years, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

 

San Diego Live Well Advance—December 7

Time to register! The Annual Live Well Advance is scheduled for Wednesday, December 7 at the San Diego Convention Center.