HACoLA Shows Award Winning Affordable Housing

National NAHRO Leadership Visits Award-Winning Affordable Housing Sites

HACoLA Showcases Award Winning Developments

Alhambra, January 31, 2014 – More than 40 national representatives from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) toured award-winning affordable housing properties in the Los Angeles area, as part of NAHRO’s biennial leadership retreat.

The tour included visits to properties representing both the Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles (HACoLA) and the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles.  Sites visits were made to Menlo Family Housing; The Gateways Apartments; Jordan Downs; Casa Dominguez; The Growing Experience; and Dana Strand Senior Housing.  HACoLA’s The Growing Experience received a NAHRO Award of Merit in 2011, while its Casa Dominguez received the Home Door Knocker Award, also in 2011, issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“I am proud to showcase our award winning sites as part of NAHRO’s tour,” said Sean Rogan, HACoLA Executive Director.  “Casa Dominguez is an example of a housing development that extends affordability beyond rent through energy savings, while reducing the community’s carbon footprint.  The Growing Experience exemplifies how a government-sponsored project can fulfill innovative strategies to improve environmental sustainability, and provide benefits to the residents of Los Angeles County.”

The Growing Experience operates a 7-acre Urban Farm located in north Long Beach, within the Carmelitos Housing Development, and grows vegetables and fruits year-round using sustainable methods, with no chemical pesticides or synthetic fertilizers.  Carmelitos is part of 3,258 units of public and affordable housing located at 70 sites throughout Los Angeles County, owned and/or managed by HACoLA.  As the Housing Authority within the County of Los Angeles, HACoLA also administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, currently assisting approximately 23,000 families through a partnership with over 13,000 property owners.

The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, established in 1933, is a membership organization of 23,000 housing and community development agencies and professionals throughout the United States whose mission is to create affordable housing and safe, viable communities that enhance the quality of life for all Americans, especially those of low- and moderate-income. NAHRO’s membership administers more than 3 million housing units for 7.6 million people.

For more information on HACoLA’s programs, please call (626) 262-4510.  All media may contact Elisa Vásquez, Public Information Officer, at (626) 586-1762.

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