Jimmy Silverwood is president of Affirmed Housing, one of the nation’s top affordable housing developers and owners.
Under his leadership, the San Diego-based firm has been steadily growing with approximately 18 communities in the pipeline to add to more than 70 communities that it has developed.
“The industry has so many challenges, but all those challenges are worth it when we get to meet the residents who move into our developments,” he says. “What inspires me about affordable housing is we are able to create some stability in people’s lives, especially for people who have had so much turbulent times in the lives. … By providing that stability in housing, it allows our residents to thrive and find other ways to better their lives.”
Silverwood, 36, has been involved with Affirmed Housing since he was a teenager. The company was founded by his father, James, in 1992, so Silverwood spent summers working on construction sites and at properties, helping with maintenance and other tasks.
After college, he joined Turner Construction, gaining valuable experience in estimating and providing preconstruction and construction support on several notable projects, including the University of San Diego baseball stadium.
In 2013, he joined Affirmed Housing as an assistant project manager and then moved up to hold several other positions before becoming president in 2022. Within the past five years, the total financing secured has grown from about $1.7 billion to $3 billion.
Recently completed developments include The Iris, a 61-unit affordable and supportive housing community in Los Angeles, and Lumina, a 54-unit supportive housing for vulnerable residents, including formerly unhoused veterans, in Chatsworth neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Silverwood’s leadership extends beyond Affirmed Housing. He is vice chair of the San Diego Housing Federation and on the board of the California Council for Affordable Housing.
He and his wife, Cristie, have three young sons.