Dear CCAH Members and Partners,
As we prepare to gather in San Diego for our sold-out Fall Conference, I’m filled with gratitude and excitement. In just a day or two, we will welcome over 250 attendees—a record-breaking number that reflects our biggest conference delegation to date and the incredible momentum and growth of our organization.
Our conference is more than just a meeting; it’s a powerful platform for education, advocacy, and connection. With sessions designed to address the most pressing issues in affordable housing—from policy updates to development strategies—attendees will gain insights that are both timely and actionable.
We are honored to host Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis as our keynote speaker. Her leadership and dedication to housing equity make her an inspiring voice for our community.
We’re also thrilled to welcome State Treasurer Fiona Ma, who will address our delegation on November 6, bringing her deep expertise in finance and infrastructure to the conversation.
On opening night, we’ll kick off the conference with our welcome reception which is open to all attendees, followed by our Political Action Committee fundraiser, a lively and meaningful event that supports our advocacy efforts in Sacramento and beyond. Your participation helps us amplify the voice of affordable housing across California. We hope you will plan to attend and spend a little time with three of California’s most ardent housing supporters. A donation, as laid out in the flyer is required to attend the fundraiser. Our sessions on November 6th look fantastic and we are pleased to have power-house speakers for every one and a number of elected officials in attendance to get to know our conference delegation. On the 7th, we will host a policy round table and solidify our legislative direction for next year and tour three amazing affordable housing developments in San Diego. There is still time to register for the tours but space is almost filled so don’t wait if you want to come along.
In addition to the conference, our Board of Directors and staff will convene for a full-day retreat, where we’ll work collaboratively to set the strategic direction for CCAH. This is a pivotal moment for us as we continue to evolve and expand our impact. A strategic board retreat is more than a meeting—it’s a defining moment for organizational growth. For the California Council for Affordable Housing, this full-day retreat offers a rare opportunity for board members and staff to step away from the day-to-day and focus on the big picture. It’s a time to reflect on our mission, assess our progress, and chart a bold, unified course for the future.
As CCAH continues to grow in size, influence, and impact, intentional planning becomes essential. The retreat allows us to align our leadership around shared goals, identify emerging challenges and opportunities, and ensure our programs and advocacy efforts are responsive to the evolving needs of our members and the affordable housing landscape. It’s also a space to foster collaboration, strengthen relationships, and build the kind of trust and clarity that fuels effective governance.
This year’s retreat will be especially critical. With our educational conferences expanding, our PAC gaining momentum, and our membership base growing stronger, we must be strategic in how we scale our efforts. The retreat will help us refine our priorities, enhance member value, and reinforce our commitment to advocacy, education, and leadership development. Ultimately, the strategic planning session is about ensuring that CCAH remains a forward-thinking, member-driven organization. By investing in this process, we’re not just planning for the next year—we’re laying the foundation for long-term success and sustainability.
As a reminder, CCAH membership is a company-wide membership. That means every employee of a member organization can access our benefits—from discounted conference registration to legislative updates and networking opportunities. If your company is not yet a member or your membership has lapsed, now is the perfect time to join as we are extending all new memberships purchased now through the end of 2025 through December 31, 2026.
Thank you for being part of this journey. I look forward to seeing many of you in San Diego and continuing our work together to build a stronger, more equitable California.
Warm regards,
Jenna Abbott
Executive Director
California Council for Affordable Housing