December 14, 2021
City Council Confirms Appointment of Attorney to Serve on San Diego Housing Commission Board
SAN DIEGO, CA — The San Diego City Council today unanimously confirmed Mayor Todd Gloria’s appointment of Melinda K. Vásquez, an attorney who practices in real estate, labor and family law, to the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) Board of Commissioners.
“With her experience in real estate and housing issues, Melinda Vásquez will be a valuable addition to the Board as the Housing Commission continues to identify and implement innovative solutions to address affordable housing and homelessness challenges in the City of San Diego,” SDHC Chair of the Board Stefanie Benvenuto said. “I look forward to the insight she will provide as Commissioners collaborate with one another and with staff on these issues.”
A Rancho Peñasquitos resident, Ms. Vásquez has been an attorney since 2015.
As a volunteer, she chairs the San Diego Housing Coalition, which advocates for “smart neighborhoods that promote homeownership and rental opportunities along with a good quality of life for households of a variety of income levels.” The coalition consists of community voices, organizations, educators, experts, nonprofits, advocates and people directly affected by San Diego’s housing crisis.
Her volunteer experience also includes serving on the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls for San Diego County and as a court-appointed special advocate (CASA) for children in the foster care system with nonprofit organization Voices for Children.
Ms. Vásquez fills the seat previously held by Commissioner Dion Akers, who left the SDHC Board when he became the Regional Government Affairs Manager in Mayor Gloria’s office.
The SDHC Board 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 offers policy guidance to SDHC staff through its communications with SDHC President and Chief Executive Officer Richard C. Gentry. The Board’s seven members are appointed by the Mayor of San Diego and confirmed by the City Council.
Ms. Vásquez’s term on the Board will expire on January 2, 2023.
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Media Contact:
Scott Marshall, Vice President of Communications
San Diego Housing Commission
619-578-7138
