HACLA Receives Seven National Awards of Merit Over 400 National Housing Leaders Convened in Phoenix for Housing Conference and Awards Ceremony

Phoenix, AZ - On Saturday, September 27, 2025, at a conference of over 400 national housing leaders, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) received a total of seven Awards of Merit at the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) Community Innovation Awards in Phoenix, Arizona.

For more than 30 years, NAHRO's awards have recognized innovative housing and community development projects, programs, and services from public housing agencies who are building stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities.

"At HACLA, we pride ourselves on being community-centered and one of the most innovative public housing agencies in the country," said President and CEO Lourdes Castro Ramirez. "It's an honor to be recognized by our colleagues at NAHRO for our efforts and achievements in preserving, enhancing and expanding deeply affordable housing, as well as improving the quality of life for Angelenos, including within our very own walls as an agency."

"Though the affordable housing crisis is a national challenge, solutions begin at the local level," said NAHRO President & CEO Mark Thiele. "HACLA's award-winning programs demonstrate what exemplary local leadership looks like. Innovative projects and programs in property development, operations, and community well-being prove that, especially with the right resources, public housing agencies are an incredible force of good."

HACLA received awards in the following categories:

Affordable Housing:

• "Using Rated Bond & HUD's Restore Rebuild to Convert Class A Apt. to Permanent Affordable Housing" - HACLA successfully closed $138.5M to acquire the 335-unit Clarendon Apartments to expand affordable housing in a high-opportunity zone

• "Using a Line of Credit, Grants & FNMA MTEB to Produce Permanent Affordable Housing" - HACLA closed $70.8M to support 459 permanent supportive housing units for unhoused families to remain affordable for 55 years (funded by Section 8 vouchers)

Administrative Innovation:

• "Build America Buy America Act (BABA) Implementation Trainings" - HACLA developed trainings to provide staff, housing professionals, and vendors with practical information and guidance to support BABA's made-in-America procurement preference for certain materials

• "Healthy Happens Here Wellness Program" - Developed and organized by HACLA Human Resources to promote employee health, wellness, and engagement through activities and educational resources to support the physical, mental, and emotional health of staff

Resident and Client Services:

• "Elder Abuse Education and Prevention Campaign" - HACLA staff, including the Legal Department, presented to Resident Advisory Councils to educate them on preventing elder abuse for the many seniors living in its public housing communities

Community Revitalization:

• "Freedom Tree Park, Jordan Downs Redevelopment" - Part of Jordan Downs' redevelopment, the park celebrates gathering and play through natural elements-vegetation, wood, stone, and water, bringing biodiversity to the area and serving as an educational resource for nearby schools

Project Design:

• "Nickerson Gardens and Imperial Courts Trash Enclosures" - HACLA identified grant funding by the Clean California Local Grant Program to install cinder block trash enclosures to address litter and trash buildup at these two sites

Each of the seven awards, while distinct in their own right, share a common thread: to enhance the lives of HACLA's residents and clients through means of efficiency, effectiveness and innovation.

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About HACLA

The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), established in 1938, provides affordable housing, rental assistance, and supportive services to more than 200,000 Angelenos. Its administrative portfolio includes 164 properties - 13 of which are public housing developments - totaling over 12,000 units, along with more than 60,000 Housing Vouchers and Certificates through the Section 8 program. For more information, visit https://www.hacla.org.

Contact

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