Housing and Homelessness: Where Philanthropy Can Make the Difference

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Affordable housing is essential for preventing and understanding homelessness, and yet it is often misunderstood. It can often be complex, publicly funded, politically sensitive, and slow-moving, with funding gaps that can make meaningful engagement feel out of reach. But, without enough housing, other efforts to address homelessness cannot succeed.

Housing is not just a standalone issue: it is the foundation that makes other interventions possible. Without stable housing, investments in healthcare, employment, and social services are significantly less effective. For funders focused on reducing and ending homelessness, understanding how housing works and where it needs support is critical.

This session is designed for philanthropic funders and advisors, foundation staff, and donor-advised fund holders who want to better understand how housing investments can help prevent and end homelessness. Whether you are new to housing or already funding in this space, this conversation will provide practical insight into where philanthropic dollars can have the greatest impact.

During this session, participants will:

• Learn the basics of how affordable housing is financed, developed, and operated.
• Understand how housing fits within a comprehensive homelessness response.
• Hear real-world examples of how philanthropic investment has helped close funding gaps, accelerate projects, and support people at risk of homelessness.
• Explore practical opportunities for funders to engage in housing solutions, including prevention strategies and supportive services.

Addressing housing requires a strategic, long-term approach that goes beyond traditional grantmaking. While government funding provides most development capital, philanthropic dollars are essential for filling gaps, accelerating delivery, strengthening resident services, and supporting the partnerships that help people remain stably housed.

Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how housing fits within efforts to prevent and end homelessness, where philanthropic investment can be most catalytic, and how to align funding strategies with durable, long-term solutions.

Target Audience

This program is designed for funders only. This program is designed for funders only. If you are interested in Catalyst or Funders Together to End Homelessness membership, please contact Aline Racic.

Catalyst is committed to making our events accessible to everyone. Please let us know how we can help you fully participate by contacting Amy Denhart. 

Speakers

Jonathan Castillo | CEO, San Diego Youth Services

Jonathan Castillo is the Chief Executive Officer of San Diego Youth Services, where he leads efforts to ensure no young person has to face crisis alone. Under his leadership, the organization supports more than 16,000 children, youth, and families each year with housing, mental health care, foster services, and critical support for those experiencing homelessness and instability.

With a deep commitment to equity, Jonathan works to close systemic gaps and address the social determinants of health that impact marginalized communities. He believes early, personalized, and responsive care is essential to breaking cycles of poverty and homelessness.

Lisa C. Jones | President & CEO, San Diego Housing Commission

As the President & CEO of the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC), Lisa Jones leads an agency with approximately 350 employees and an annual budget of approximately $700 million. In her more than 20 years of service in the areas of affordable housing and homelessness, she has developed and implemented housing assistance approaches that focus on the unique needs of the people being served. She has adhered to the additional values of building relationships, collaborating with community organizations, and promoting transparency in government.

Ms. Jones holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the Institute of Leadership and Management with the University of West Anglia, England. She also is an alumnus of the Impact Center’s Women’s Executive Leadership Program.

Rebecca Louie | CEO, Wakeland Housing

Rebecca Louie is a longtime leader in the affordable housing sector, with more than two decades of experience planning, building, and operating affordable and supportive housing communities throughout Southern California. Since starting at Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation in 2005, she has overseen the development and operation of 47 affordable housing communities, creating over 2,500 homes for families, seniors, veterans, transition-age youth and people experiencing homelessness.

A Native Alaskan and a member of the Tlingit-Haida tribe, Ms. Louie is widely known as a strong advocate for affordable housing, social and environmental justice, and homelessness. She has a broad network of strong relationships with stakeholders working to build a more just and equitable world through housing, including government agencies, labor organizations, advocacy groups and decisionmakers at the state, county, and city levels.

Mark Tran | Director of Community Initiatives, Price Philanthropies

Mark Tran is the Director of Community Initiatives with Price Philanthropies Foundation, supporting community-driven initiatives and partnerships that expand access to opportunity and create lasting impact for communities in City Heights and across San Diego.

Mark previously served as a Program Manager with The California Endowment and worked as a Youth Community Organizer, Leadership Development Specialist, and Associate Executive Director with Mid-City CAN. He grew up in City Heights and brings deep community roots and local partnerships to this role.