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Accomplishments

Accomplishments in Economic Empowerment and Public Service

Rafael Perez is dedicated to creating opportunities and fostering equitable change across communities. Through a career spanning advocacy, public service, and leadership, Rafael has worked tirelessly to empower individuals, improve access to housing, and address systemic inequities. Below is a comprehensive overview of key accomplishments that demonstrate Rafael’s commitment to economic empowerment and public service.

Economic Empowerment and Housing Advocacy

  • Secured over $1 million in flood relief funding for San Diego County and led the effort to distribute funds from the Realtor Relief Foundation, collaborating with elected officials and community members.
  • Key advocate for AB 1033, enabling the conversion of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to for-sale condominiums, creating affordable housing opportunities.
  • As Chair of the Casita Coalition, led legislative efforts to legalize unpermitted ADUs and successfully passed AB 2533, ensuring safety for renters and security for homeowners.
  • Key stakeholder in coalition that developed the City of San Diego’s first ADU Handbook to expand housing solutions.
  • Partnered with Zillow through the Casita Coalition to produce a National Housing Policy Playbook to advance middle housing initiatives nationwide.
  • Championed federal mortgage loan reforms for over a decade in various different leadership roles. HUD’s recent changes reflect this reform, increasing homeownership opportunities by recognizing the rental value of accessory units in a borrowers ability to qualify.
  • Delivered homeownership opportunity throughout San Diego County over the last 20 years.

Community Development and Leadership

  • Served as Board Chair of the Sherman Heights Community Center, working with our team in securing grants for capital improvements, including a rooftop solar project and programs like Sherman Cocina, which trains local micro-entrepreneurs with kitchen skills.
  • Fundraised for bilingual COVID-19 informational signs in early 2020 and placed in community to support access to critical health information.
  • Advocated for Sherman Elementary to become a community school and now serves on its Site Governance Team.
  • Served as a Board Member with the United Lowrider Coalition to successfully repeal cruising bans targeting minority groups, culminating in the passage of California’s AB 436.

Awards and Recognition

Public Service and Advocacy

  • Serves as a Board Member for the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority
  • Serves on the SANDAG Transportation Committee
  • Served nine years on San Diego’s Citizens’ Equal Opportunity Commission, contributing to the city’s first disparity study in decades.
  • Held multiple leadership roles within the San Diego County Democratic Party, including Secretary and Central Committee member.
  • Played a pivotal role in securing fair housing and smart growth grants from the National Association of Realtors.

Educational Contributions

  • Adjunct faculty member at Cuyamaca College for a decade, advocating for education as part of AFT Local 1931.
  • Speaker at the NAHREP Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., on the topic of leadership
  • Speaker for the National League of Cities meeting in Sacramento on Middle Housing Policy Reform in California.
  • Key organizer of the “Build the Middle” housing conference, bringing together national and international leaders to address housing crises.

Grassroots Efforts and Personal Achievements

  • Organized a Mother’s Day brunch with lowriders and stroller raffles for teen mothers at Lindsay School.
  • Restored a long-abandoned family home despite significant bureaucratic challenges, showcasing community resilience.
  • Hosted financial literacy workshops during the foreclosure crisis, focusing on credit and foreclosure prevention.

Rafael’s unwavering dedication to equitable progress has transformed countless lives and communities. His leadership in housing advocacy, community development, and public service continues to inspire meaningful change.