About us
A regional coalition dedicated to ensuring equal housing opportunity for all people throughout San Diego County.
The Leading Fair Housing Advocate in the San Diego Region
SDRAFFH is comprised of members of the fair housing community, government entities, enforcement agencies, and housing providers. Our membership spans the 18 incorporated cities and all unincorporated areas of San Diego County, including the County of San Diego and the San Diego Housing Commission.
This group had its roots in the early 1980s when the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) appointed the Community Housing Resource Board (CHRB). HUD had the vision of unifying fair housing efforts in the region and provided early leadership to foster a collaborative approach to affirmatively further fair housing and end discrimination in housing choice.
Over the years, the CHRB became less active and a new, revitalized Fair Housing Resources Board (FHRB) was created. In a recent effort to strengthen collaborative efforts in the region, the FHRB changed its name to the San Diego Regional Alliance for Fair Housing (SDRAFFH). The Alliance meets on a quarterly basis and has successfully collaborated on the production of three regional Analyses of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice.
San Diego County is home to over 3 million residents and an increasingly diverse demographic. As of 2017, the region became a minority-majority area, with 53.8 percent of residents identifying as minorities. Civic leaders and member organizations must ensure that equal access to housing opportunity is treated as a fundamental right for all.
Our Mission
To be the leading fair housing advocate in the San Diego region; working to eliminate housing discrimination and to ensure equal housing opportunity for all people through leadership, education, outreach, public policy initiatives, advocacy and enforcement.
Serving the San Diego Region
SDRAFFH’s area of operation encompasses the geographic area of the San Diego region, including the 18 incorporated cities and all unincorporated areas of the County.
- City of Carlsbad →
- City of Chula Vista →
- City of Coronado →
- City of Del Mar →
- City of El Cajon →
- City of Encinitas →
- City of Escondido →
- City of Imperial Beach →
- City of La Mesa →
- City of Lemon Grove →
- City of National City →
- City of Oceanside →
- City of Poway →
- City of San Diego →
- San Diego County →
- San Diego Housing Commission →
- City of San Marcos →
- City of Santee →
- City of Solana Beach →
- City of Vista →
How SDRAFFH Advances Fair Housing
1. Facilitate Regional Information Exchange
Enable the exchange of views and ideas among participating regional jurisdictions to affirmatively further fair housing.
2. Monitor & Influence Legislation
Monitor federal and state legislative and regulatory issues that impact fair housing and initiate development of public policies through recommendations to each jurisdiction's legislative body.
3. Public Communication
Communicate effectively with the public, media, government, and others on issues related to fair housing in San Diego County.
4. Education & Professional Development
Encourage, develop, and provide educational programs to enhance the technical skills and efficiency of fair housing employees and organizations across the region.
5. Data Development & Dissemination
Develop, analyze, and disseminate information on fair housing and related fields, including the regional Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice.
6. Coalition Building
Work with other organizations and aggressively develop coalitions and collaborative efforts to accomplish the Alliance's mission across the region.
7. Strengthen Internal Operations
Continuously strengthen the Alliance's internal management to effectively utilize human, organizational, and financial resources to maximize achievement of the mission.
8. Regional Analysis of Impediments
Collaborate on the development and adoption of periodic regional Analyses of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI), funded through CDBG and local funds from entitlement jurisdictions.
Fair Housing Services: By the Numbers
Source: 2020 San Diego Regional Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice
San Diego County residents served annually by CSA San Diego County (FY 2014–2018)
San Diego County residents served by the Legal Aid Society of San Diego over the same 5-year period
Fair housing complaints filed with HUD for San Diego County (Oct 2014 – Sep 2019)
Median home sales price in San Diego County in 2019, out of reach for all low- and moderate-income households
Download the full 2020 San Diego Regional Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice.
Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice
The AI is required by HUD as a condition of receiving Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships funds. It presents a demographic profile, assesses housing needs, evaluates housing choices, and identifies conditions in the private market and public sector that may limit access to housing. SDRAFFH has successfully collaborated on three regional AIs.
The 2020 AI identified the following key impediments to fair housing in San Diego County:
- Outreach & Education: Traditional outreach methods are not adequate to reach the diverse general public. Expanded, multilingual, community-based outreach is needed.
- Enforcement: Not enough enforcement activities are pursued. Fair housing providers should encourage victims to pursue litigation and publicize favorable outcomes.
- Linguistic Isolation: 15.4% of residents speak English "less than very well." National City, Chula Vista, El Cajon, and Escondido have the highest concentrations.
- Segregation: Racially/Ethnically Concentrated Areas of Poverty (RECAPs) exist in Escondido, El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, National City, Chula Vista, and south/central San Diego.
- Lending Disparities: Hispanic applicants were severely underrepresented in the loan applicant pool. Black and Hispanic applicants were twice as likely to receive subprime loans as Asian applicants.
- Several jurisdictions had yet to update zoning ordinances to address changes in state law regarding special needs housing.
Current Officers
Amalea Romero
PRESIDENT
Theresa Alvarez-Jarrin
VICE PRESIDENT
Estela De Los Rios
SECRETARY
Dolores Diaz
TREASURER