Background

Background

Incorporated in 1984, LA NHS has catapulted itself from a small housing agency to the largest, non-profit affordable homeownership provider in Southern California. As such, it is an integral member of the NeighborWorks® America national network.

LA NHS focuses on specific target neighborhoods in Los Angeles County to concentrate its product and service offering and delivery mechanism. These target areas include Central Los Angeles/Metro, Crenshaw, Pacoima, San Pedro-Wilmington, Carson and Boyle Heights/East Los Angeles. These neighborhoods represent those that can be most strengthened by increasing resident homeownership and involvement.

In 1990, Lori Gay, a long-time activist in the community development field, joined LA NHS as the executive director.

Originally, LA NHS was a single corporation. However, in 1996 the board of directors decided to expand its operations by diversifying its products and services. In October 1996, LA NHS created two affiliate corporations, NHS Neighborhood Lending Services (NHS NLS) and NHS Neighborhood Redevelopment Corporation (NHS NRC). NHS NLS offers lending and educational services. NHS NRC provides services related to real estate development, real estate brokering, construction and neighborhood revitalization.

In 1997, both affiliates received their state licences to operate as brokerage firms. Also in 1997, NHS NLS became certified as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Access to CDFI funds enabled the organization to expand the volume and extent of its lending in the Los Angeles area.

By 2002, the organization grew to have 37 staff members in its main office in central Los Angeles and its Homeownership Centers in San Pedro and Pacoima.

Recognizing the threat that foreclosure rates posed in the neighborhoods its served, LA NHS began an aggressive focus on homeownership preservation in 2003. In 2007, LA NHS was pivotal in establishing the Los Angeles County NeighborWorks Center for Foreclosure Solutions.

In June 2006, LA NHS hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the development of the North Hills Villas in North Hills, CA. North Hills is one of the oldest and toughest communities in the Northeast San Fernando Valley. In early 2008, LA NHS completed the development and starting showing model units.

In late 2008, LA NHS moved its San Pedro Homeownership center to Carson. The South Bay NeighborWorks Homeownership Center now houses two homeownership counselors.

Today, LA NHS employees 40 employees that serve clients throughout Los Angeles County. The organization's staff is fueled by its passion and determination to revitalize communities, build stronger neighborhoods and help families of modest means actualize their dream of homeownership.