LA Mayor appoints new housing and homelessness chief.
Los Angeles Mayor Appoints Lourdes Castro Ramírez as Chief Housing and Homelessness Officer
LOS ANGELES—In an exciting announcement, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass revealed that Lourdes Castro Ramírez, secretary of the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, will be taking on the role of chief housing and homelessness officer. This appointment, set to begin on Nov. 6, comes as a planned transition due to federal retiree rules, replacing current officer Mercedes Márquez.
“We must continue our momentum and progress in confronting the emergency of this homelessness crisis, and I am excited to be bringing Secretary Lourdes Castro Ramírez to continue our transformative work on this issue,” said Ms. Bass.
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The mayor expressed gratitude to Ms. Márquez for her dedication in addressing the city’s homelessness crisis. Ms. Márquez will continue working as a senior advisor to ensure continuity and expand momentum in bringing unhoused Angelenos inside with urgency.
Under Ms. Márquez’s leadership, the administration has successfully helped over 17,000 unhoused Angelenos find shelter, with 1,600 benefiting from the mayor’s Inside Safe initiative.
Ms. Márquez’s accomplishments include leveraging $150 million of Measure ULA funding for short-term emergency rental assistance, expediting affordable housing projects, and assisting in the purchase of the Mayfair Hotel for interim housing.
“We have led unprecedented efforts through our Inside Safe initiative, and have truly locked arms with every level of government to bring the Los Angeles homelessness crisis the attention it deserves in order to save lives every single day,” said Ms. Márquez.
Ms. Castro Ramírez, appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in March 2020, currently leads and oversees 12 entities and 40 boards and bureaus as the secretary of the state agency. Her responsibilities include the preservation and expansion of safe, affordable housing, efforts to prevent and end homelessness, consumer protection, and safeguarding civil rights laws in California.
“I’m honored to join Mayor Bass’ efforts to continue this work, bringing my experience and passion for urgent, collaborative, and transformative solutions to Los Angeles,” said Ms. Castro Ramírez.
Since 2020, the agency and departments have delivered over $31 billion in funding for rental and homeownership housing opportunities, as well as over $11 billion in homelessness solutions.
Prior to her current role, Ms. Castro Ramírez served as the leader of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Public and Indian Housing. She also held positions as the president and CEO of the San Antonio Housing Authority and as a director at the Los Angeles City’s housing authority.
With a master’s degree in urban planning and a bachelor’s degree in political science and Chicano studies from the University of California–Los Angeles, Ms. Castro Ramírez brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new position.
What are the five principles of the housing first model?
There are five core principles of Housing First: Immediate access to permanent housing with no housing readiness requirements, Consumer choice and self-determination, Recovery orientation, Individualized and client-driven supports, Social and community integration He Mayor’s A Bridge Home program. This program has provided temporary housing and supportive services to individuals experiencing homelessness while they work towards finding permanent housing solutions.
As Chief Housing and Homelessness Officer, Lourdes Castro Ramírez will play a crucial role in continuing and expanding the city’s efforts to address homelessness. With her extensive experience in the California Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency, Castro Ramírez brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the position. Her appointment is seen as a strategic move to build on the progress made under Mercedes Márquez’s leadership.
“The appointment of Lourdes Castro Ramírez reflects our commitment to finding innovative and effective solutions to the homelessness crisis,” said Mayor Karen Bass. ”Her experience and dedication will be instrumental in moving forward with our efforts to provide housing and support for our unhoused neighbors.”
Castro Ramírez’s experience in the housing and consumer services sector will be invaluable in tackling the complex challenges of homelessness in Los Angeles. Her understanding of policy development and implementation, as well as her commitment to social justice, will guide the city’s approach to addressing this urgent issue.
The appointment of Castro Ramírez comes at a critical time when the city of Los Angeles faces a growing homelessness crisis. As the city continues to experience an increase in the number of unhoused individuals, it is imperative to have a strong leadership team in place to develop and implement effective strategies to address this issue.
In recent years, Los Angeles has made significant progress in its approach to homelessness, implementing various initiatives and programs aimed at providing housing, mental health support, and job training to those experiencing homelessness. However, with the number of unhoused individuals continuing to rise, there is still much work to be done.
Castro Ramírez’s appointment signals the city’s commitment to a comprehensive and proactive approach to addressing homelessness. Her leadership will be instrumental in coordinating efforts between government agencies, nonprofits, and community organizations to ensure that all Angelenos have access to safe and stable housing.
“I am honored to take on this role and join the dedicated team working to address homelessness in Los Angeles,” said Lourdes Castro Ramírez. “I am committed to working collaboratively with stakeholders to develop innovative solutions and provide support to our unhoused neighbors. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness.”
The appointment of Lourdes Castro Ramírez as the Chief Housing and Homelessness Officer is a significant step towards addressing the homelessness crisis in Los Angeles. With her expertise and dedication, Castro Ramírez will undoubtedly make a positive impact on the lives of unhoused individuals and contribute to the city’s efforts to create a more equitable and inclusive Los Angeles.
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