ABOUT IHO:
Innovative Housing Opportunities
Thriving, economically vibrant communities start with housing. At IHO, we develop high-quality homes for residents that are affordable and low to moderate income. When combined with our holistic services and programs, we can create vibrant environments where residents flourish, develop healthy habits, and achieve success and stability.
At IHO, we believe housing that incorporates a diverse mix of income levels, backgrounds, ages, and abilities, provides the greatest opportunities for our residents to thrive and increase their personal and economic mobility. IHO is honored that our communities build legacies and bring value to our residents, communities, partners, and investors.
As a BIPOC-led non-profit with a diverse staff and board, our values are reflected in our developments, across our organization, and in our business practices. We are proud to be recognized for our track record of excellence, creativity, collaboration, and resourcefulness.
History of Advocacy and Collaboration
IHO was formed in 1976 as Irvine Housing Opportunities to advocate for low to moderate income housing in the City of Irvine. Collaborating with members of the community and local government, business, education, and faith sectors, we built Woodbridge Manor Apartments, Irvine’s first 100 percent very low-income housing for seniors and disabled individuals in 1981. We then introduced resident-centered services and lifelong learning programs while maintaining strong fiscal controls and management oversight. Even now neighbors are still surprised to learn they are living adjacent to “low-income housing.”
Today, IHO continues to advocate for smarter, sustainable housing and land use legislation. Our communities remain indistinguishable from their market rate neighbors, and our residents continue to thrive. As a nimble and creative development team, we leverage partnerships, new technologies, and financing strategies to identify the most effective ways to build strong families and high-performing cities while finding a win-win for public agencies, private industry, and people seeking housing.
Move In. Move Up. Move Ahead. Reach Back.
IHO believes that investing in our residents means we are investing in the success of our cities. Our communities serve residents from a wide range of backgrounds, abilities, and income levels. IHO’s holistic approach to housing and services encourages, equips, and celebrates residents as they set and achieve personal goals that move them toward greater independence and economic self-reliance – at the level meaningful to them.
When our residents buy a home, increase their incomes, start a new job or business, improve their health, complete their education, or remain housed, they see that success is possible. That success can then empower them to reach for and achieve greater goals beyond shelter, which in turn, makes room for others to move in and find success. Seeing our residents become role models and mentors to others is one of the most fulfilling aspects of our work.
Our Mission:
To enrich communities by providing high-quality, holistic affordable housing and services.
Our Vision:
To ignite powerful change that increases economic resilience and improves the quality of life for the people and communities we serve.
Our Core Values:
Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork, Commitment, Advocacy, Empowerment, Gratitude
Our Leadership
LEADERSHIP + STAFF
ROCHELLE MILLS
President and Chief Executive Officer
EZRA BOLDS, JR.
Chief Financial Officer
JUSTIN LLATA
COO/Vice President, Real Estate Development
MARISELA FULLER
Real Estate Development
BRENDA WALTERS
Community Engagement & Programs Director
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BRANDON McCALL
Board Chair
Vice President, Structured Finance
National Equity Fund
CHDO Representative
ELIZABETH TROMBLEY, MPH
Board Vice Chair
Managing Director for Community Health
Kaiser Permanente Southern California Region
ROBERT V. ABBOTT, MAI
Board Treasurer
Senior Vice President and Manager (Retired)
US West Real Estate at Citigroup Corporate Realty Services
LASHANDA MAZE
Board Secretary
Chief Development Officer
Community Action Partnership of Orange County
CHDO Representative
NANCY MORIKAWA
Member At-Large
Senior Vice President and Community Development Officer
Pacific Western Bank
JASON ACOSTA
Senior Director, Head of Asset Management and Impact Investing
Nuveen
JHAILA BROWN
Partner
Goldfarb & Lipman LLP
LATONYA SMITH
Interim CEO and Chief Program Officer
St. Joseph Center
FATHIA MACAULEY
Chief Lending Officer
Housing Trust Silicon Valley
CHDO Representative
MANUEL MARTINEZ
Management Assistant 1
City of Anaheim
CHDO Representative
DR. MARY M. WATSON-BRUCE, Ph.D.
School of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology (Retired)
UCI School of Medicine
ADVISORS
RENEE BAROT
Rancho Los Alamitos Historic Ranch and Gardens
KIRSTEN CROXTON
Senior Vice President, Origination
Capital One Multifamily Finance
DR. MICHELE FOLK, Ph.D
Director
TranSystems, Inc.
CRUZ FRANCO
Lead Business Analyst
Chapman University
JAVIER GUZMAN
Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager
City National Bank – Real Estate Banking
LISA HILL
Vice President & Community Development Officer
Bank of Hope
JEFF KEARNS
Managing Director | Real Estate Finance
Walker & Dunlop
ALLIE LEE
Director of Communications
Participant
RAY MENDOZA
Vice President
City National Bank
JIM PARKER
Manager, Business Development
PCL Construction
SHANNON RAINS
Housing Specialist
Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center
GREG SANTILLI
Chief Financial Officer
Hillsides
KIM SEARLES
Management, Relationship Banking, Financial Advisor
FINA SNEED
Investment Advisor, CFP
Provence Wealth Management Group
Our Partners
Thank you to all of our valuable partners and donors for your support.
With additional support from