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
JUSTIN LLATA
COO/Vice President, Real Estate Development
BRENDA WALTERS
Community Engagement & Programs Director
MARISELA FULLER
Real Estate Development Director
SUN KIM
Controller
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ROBERT V. ABBOTT, MAI
Board Chair
Senior Vice President and Manager (Retired)
US West Real Estate at Citigroup Corporate Realty Services
LATONYA SMITH
Board Vice Chair
Interim CEO and Chief Program Officer
St. Joseph Center
JASON ACOSTA
Board Treasurer
Senior Director, Head of Asset Management and Impact Investing
Nuveen
NANCY MORIKAWA
Board Secretary
Pacific Premier Bank
Senior Vice President, CRA Officer
JHAILA BROWN
Partner
Goldfarb & Lipman LLP
LISA HILL
First Vice President & Sr. Community Development Officer
Bank of Hope
FATHIA MACAULEY
Chief Real Estate Development Officer
Decro Corp.
MANUEL MARTINEZ
Management Assistant 1
City of Anaheim
CHDO Representative
LASHANDA MAZE
Chief Development Officer
Community Action Partnership of Orange County
BRANDON McCALL
Vice President, Structured Finance
National Equity Fund
ADVISORS
RENEE BAROT
Special Project Coordinator
Long Beach Affordable Housing Coalition
KRISTEN CROXTON
Principal
Arcus Harbor Real Estate Capital, LLC
SHARON ENG
Director, Project Management Office
Stanford Healthcare
DR. MICHELE FOLK, Ph.D
Director
TranSystems, Inc.
CRUZ FRANCO
Senior Business Analyst
The Community Solution Education System
JAVIER GUZMAN
Credit Executive, Community Development Banking
JP Morgan Chase
JEFF KEARNS
Managing Director
Walker & Dunlop
ANGELA KELLY
Senior Vice President, Sales Operations - Affordable Equity
Walker & Dunlop
RAY MENDOZA
Director, Lending & Investment
LISC LA
CHRIS MONTES
Senior Director, Real Estate Finance
Walker & Dunlop
SHANNON RAINS
Housing Specialist-Community Services
Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center
GREG SANTILLI
Chief Financial Officer
Hillsides
KIM SEARLES
VP Branch Manager
First Foundation Bank
Our Partners
Thank you to all of our valuable partners and donors for your support.
With additional support from