Congratulations to PSAR REALTOR® Rafael Perez, a recipient of a PSAR Good Neighbor award for the 2024 first quarter.
The PSAR Good Neighbor Awards highlight volunteer activities by individual PSAR members in the community
A PSAR REALTOR® of the Year award winner and longtime PSAR Board Member, Rafael has worked in real estate since graduating from San Diego State University in 2004. He has extensive experience as a realtor, mortgage banker, lender, and educator.
Throughout his career, he has served as a community volunteer in many different roles. He also has led previous PSAR advocate efforts on smart growth, fair housing, and housing supply solutions, including serving as chair of PSAR’s Government Affairs Committee-Central Area.
He was recently involved in PSAR’s flood relief grant efforts. PSAR and SDAR jointly received a $1.16 million grant from the Realtors Relief Foundation (RRF) to assist flood survivors. San Diego flood victims who suffered damage to their homes during the January 2024 storms are reminded to reach out to PSAR before the May 31 application deadline.
Currently, Rafael is serving as board chair of the Casita Coalition, a non-profit organization that advocates for more housing solutions, including ADUs and Missing-Middle housing. Casita Coalition educates industry and governmental officials on best practices and promotes increased homeownership opportunities.
Several years ago, Rafael was instrumental as PSAR’s lead in a two-year effort to help the City of San Diego draft a handbook for homeowners around new rules and regulations for ADUs (auxiliary dwelling units), also called “companion units” or “granny flats.” PSAR supports the rights of property owners to expand the use of their property as a way to address the region’s housing supply and affordability crisis.
Rafael’s participation in the City of San Diego’s ADU Coalition culminated with the city’s 2019 publication of the “Companion Unit Handbook,” a 38-page booklet that today serves as a helpful guide to homeowners seeking to construct a companion unit on their property.
“From the beginning, we brought a REALTORS® perspective to the table,” Rafael said. “At first, some of the people at the city had not considered how companion units could change how homebuyers view their future purchase or how existing homeowners could increase their equity. So, we were able to help shape the regulations to benefit the city and homeowners and buyers.”
Rafael has held the position of 2023 board chair of the Sherman Heights Community Center. The center’s diverse programming, ranging from support for senior citizens to youth activities and food security initiatives, has served as a hub for significant impact on the historic neighborhoods of Sherman Heights, Logan Heights, Grant Hill, and surrounding areas.
Notably, the Sherman Heights Community Center has gained recognition for its vibrant Día De Los Muertos events. Rafael is currently chairing the facility committee, which is overseeing fundraising for the construction of a solar energy project for the community center.
Additionally, Rafael dedicated four years to serving on the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Fair Housing Policy Committee, a group that promotes fair housing and opposes segregation through redlining and other roadblocks, including exclusionary zoning. He was one of four realtors in the U.S. who were recognized in 2022 with an inaugural Fair Housing Champion award
2022 NAR Fair Housing Champion Rafael Perez, shares his expertise during a panel discussion called “Building a Legacy: How Latino Families Can Secure Their Financial Future
He served as a Commissioner for the City of San Diego's Citizens’ Equal Opportunity Commission for nine years until 2022.
Following this, he was appointed to the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority Board in January 2023, where he is a Board Member for the Authority and serves as a representative (alternate) on the SANDAG Transportation Committee.
Further showcasing his commitment to community well-being, he served as a board member of the United Lowrider Coalition. Rafael worked with the coalition and Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-80th District) on the passage of Assembly Bill 436, which removed the authorization for a local authority to adopt rules and regulations regarding cruising bans.
Rafael also has volunteered at Sherman Elementary, actively participating in the school site council, site governance team, and PTA. He played a role in the school's transition to a Community School when it was selected in San Diego Unified School District's second cohort of Community Schools in 2023.
Rafael also is serving as Secretary for the San Diego County Democratic Party.
“Our members are active and helping in the community, and they should be recognized for their efforts,” said Laurie, who is highlighting volunteer activities by PSAR members during her 2024 term as president. “I believe that realtors are one of the most likely professions to volunteer in their local communities.”
MacDonald, a La Mesa resident, is leading by example. She is currently in her third year serving as president of the La Mesa Park & Recreation Foundation, a nonprofit that raises funds to improve parklands and programs at parks in the city of La Mesa.
Nominees must be active licensed REALTOR® or Affiliate members in good standing with PSAR.
Nominees are judged on the level of personal commitment, especially volunteer (unpaid) hours. Monetary and other resource contributions are also considered.
Some portion of the nominee’s work must have taken place within 12 months prior to the nomination's rolling deadline of the last business day of each month.
If an individual within your company can be singled out as instrumental to the success of a group effort, then he or she is eligible. If the achievements of two people (such as a married couple or co-founders of an organization) cannot be separated, then they can enter as a pair and their entry will be considered as one.
Nominations for a quarterly PSAR Good Neighbor award should be submitted by emailing Sally Valdez, PSAR VP of Operations, at sally@psar.org.