By Jenna Abbott, Executive Director
On behalf of the California Council for Affordable Housing, I am proud to congratulate CCAH Board Member Jim Schmid on being inducted into the California Homebuilding Foundation Hall of Fame Class of 2026. This recognition is one of the highest honors in California’s housing industry and reflects a career dedicated to expanding housing opportunities and improving communities throughout our state. This latest honor adds to an already distinguished list of industry recognitions. Jim was previously inducted into the BIA San Diego Hall of Fame and received the San Diego Housing Federation’s Lifetime Achievement Ruby Award, further demonstrating the lasting impact he has had on housing and community development across the region.
For more than four decades, Jim has been a respected leader in California housing. He founded Chelsea Investment Corporation in 1984 and, since 1992, has focused the company on the financing and development of affordable housing communities. Under his leadership, Chelsea has grown into one of the most successful affordable housing development companies in the western United States, developing more than 150 communities and more than 15,000 homes valued at nearly $4 billion. Today, Chelsea is recognized as the largest affordable housing developer in San Diego.
Throughout his career, Jim has demonstrated that affordable housing can be delivered at scale while maintaining a commitment to quality, long-term ownership, and strong community partnerships. His work with Father Joe’s Villages, the San Diego Housing Commission, and Serving Seniors has helped create housing opportunities for thousands of Californians who otherwise might struggle to find a safe and affordable place to call home. Jim’s impact can also be seen through his service to the broader housing industry. He is a former Chairman of BIA San Diego, lectured in the University of San Diego’s Master of Science in Real Estate program, and is a respected mentor to countless housing professionals. His leadership has helped educate and inspire the next generation of industry leaders while advancing policies and practices that support housing production throughout California.
At CCAH, we have been fortunate to benefit from Jim’s experience, perspective, and leadership as a member of our Board of Directors. His deep understanding of affordable housing finance, development, construction, and community building has helped shape our organization and strengthen our advocacy efforts on behalf of the affordable housing industry. Jim’s Hall of Fame induction is a well-deserved recognition of a remarkable career. More importantly, it is a reminder of what dedicated leadership can accomplish when paired with a commitment to expanding housing opportunities for California families.
Please join me in congratulating Jim Schmid on this outstanding achievement and thanking him for his many contributions to the affordable housing industry and to CCAH.