February 25, 2025
City Council Approves Reappointments of San Diego Housing Commission Board Chair and Commissioner to New Terms
SAN DIEGO, CA — The San Diego City Council today unanimously confirmed Mayor Todd Gloria’s reappointment of San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) Board of Commissioners (Board) Chair Eugene “Mitch” Mitchell and Commissioner Stephen P. Cushman to new four-year terms.
“Chair Mitchell and Commissioner Cushman are insightful leaders with extensive experience who care deeply about the people we serve and identifying innovative solutions to the housing and homelessness crises in our community,” SDHC President and CEO Lisa Jones said. “Their continuing leadership and direction as members of our Board will be valuable amid our ongoing, collaborative efforts to help make San Diego a thriving city for people to call home as we also navigate challenges in the years ahead.”
Chair Mitchell is the Senior Vice President, Chief Legislative Officer for Southern California Gas (SoCalGas) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). He also serves on the Boards of Directors of the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, the Sharp Hospital Board of Trustees, the Lucky Duck Foundation, and the University of Redlands. He previously served as the Senior Vice President, Diversity & Community Partnerships for Sempra and prior to that served as Vice President of State Governmental and External Affairs for SoCalGas and SDG&E. Before joining the Sempra Utilities in 2005, he served as Vice President of Public Policy and Communications for the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Chair Mitchell initially was appointed to the SDHC Board on February 4, 2020, and was reappointed on September 21, 2021. The SDHC Board elected him to serve as Chair on July 8, 2022.
Commissioner Cushman is a fourth-generation San Diegan who serves as President of Cush Enterprises. He has been actively involved with over 70 Boards and Commissions. His current leadership roles include Member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Downtown San Diego Partnership, Chair of the Committee on Downtown Homelessness, Member of the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank Board of Directors and Chair of the Sharp HealthCare Real Estate & Construction Committee. He previously served as a Commissioner for the San Diego Unified Port District from 1998 to 2010, including as Chair in 2002 and 2009. His additional past leadership roles have included service as Chair of the Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce and as Chair of the Boards of Sharp HealthCare System, the San Diego Convention Center Corporation, and the San Diego International Auto Show. He has been recognized with the 2009 San Diego Hall of Champions Community Champion Award, the 2010 San Diego Port Tenants Association Maritime Award, and the 2011 San Diego Hotel-Motel Association Gold Key Award. In 2013, the San Diego Rotary named him Mr. San Diego, and he continuously appears on the San Diego Business Journal’s list of 500 Influential Business Leaders.
Commissioner Cushman initially was appointed to the SDHC Board on January 23, 2024.
Chair Mitchell’s and Commissioner Cushman’s terms on the SDHC Board will expire January 2, 2029.
About the SDHC Board of Commissioners
The SDHC Board of Commissioners consists of seven seats, which are filled through the appointment process set forth in the San Diego Municipal Code.
The SDHC Board leads and supports the creation and preservation of affordable housing by approving competitively awarded SDHC loans and authorizing Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds, subject to the Housing Authority of the City of San Diego’s approval. Additionally, the SDHC Board approves and administers contracts for homelessness shelters and services programs on the City of San Diego’s behalf. Contracts for additional SDHC housing assistance programs that involve dollar amounts over $250,000 also require SDHC Board approval.
The SDHC Board also reviews proposed changes to housing policy, property acquisitions and other financial commitments, as well as agency operations, including allocation of resources, revisions to personnel policies and annual administrative and operating budgets.
The SDHC 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 SDHC Board also offers policy guidance to SDHC staff through its communications with SDHC’s President & CEO.
Connect with SDHC on social media:
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Media Contact:
Scott Marshall,
Vice President of Communications
San Diego Housing Commission
619-578-7138
scottm@sdhc.org
