2025 Housing California’s Housing Justice Awards

Overview

In honor of the exemplary service and dedicated leadership of two remarkable former Housing California Board members, Willie Stevens and Alfred Diaz-Infante and the numerous other leaders past and present who have helped advance housing justice in California. Housing California is excited to introduce the Housing Justice Awards at the 2025 Annual Conference.

The Housing Justice Awards celebrates and honors individuals who embody the core values and principles underpinning Housing California’s vision: Creating a California with homes, health, and prosperity for all in thriving, sustainable communities.

Nominees will exemplify unwavering commitment to their communities and will be steadfast in reaching toward Housing California’s equity-centered vision. Through their outstanding service and leadership, these nominees continue the legacy of our esteemed former board members, Willie Stevens and Alfred Diaz-Infante.

Nominations and Eligibility

Housing California invites nominations for individuals that demonstrate an unwavering commitment to housing justice. Eligibility for nomination is open to a wide spectrum of deserving individuals including:

• Advocates
• Emerging Leaders
• Local, Regional, or State Government Leaders
• Mission Driven Non-Profit Affordable Developers
• Organizers
• Policymakers
• Private Sector Partners
• Service Providers
• Resident Leaders/Leaders with Lived Experience of Homelessness or Housing Insecurity
• Researchers, Academics, and Thought Leaders

Nominees will exemplify unwavering commitment to their communities and will be steadfast in reaching toward Housing California’s equity-centered vision. Through their outstanding service and leadership, these nominees continue the legacy of our esteemed former board members, Willie Stevens and Alfred Diaz-Infante.

Selection Criteria

The nominations for Housing California’s Housing Justice Awards will be evaluated based on a set of comprehensive criteria that highlight the dedication and impact of individuals promoting justice, equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism in housing and homelessness initiatives.

The selection committee will consider the following factors when reviewing nominations:

• Advance the systems change and structural reforms needed to create a California with homes, health, and prosperity for all in thriving, sustainable communities. Incorporates a commitment to promoting justice, equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism in their work and initiatives.
• Cross-sector collaboration and a focus on a “big-tent” approach. Demonstrates a commitment to cross-sector collaboration, building coalitions, and fostering alliances to advance system level solutions. Nominees foster a sense of belonging within the housing advocacy movement, actively including individuals who have historically been marginalized in policy, government, and nonprofit spaces.
• Center the lived experience of people struggling with housing instability and homelessness. Nominee’s work centers and amplifies the perspectives and power of people most impacted by the legacy of racial and economic injustice in housing policy, especially Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities and those with lived experiences of homelessness and housing insecurity.
• Leadership, innovation, and courage: Recognition will be given to those who have introduced innovative, “out of the box”, impactful, and replicable approaches to addressing housing issues. Nominees should demonstrate leadership qualities and the ability to inspire and collaborate with others. They should also exhibit courage and the willingness to take risks, hold the “tough conversations,” and take on initiatives that help address significant challenges the housing justice community is facing.
• Narrative shifting: Nominees have played a pivotal role in reshaping the conversation around housing and homelessness. Their efforts have raised awareness, increased understanding, and inspired communities and leaders to take collective action towards lasting solutions.