Three Honorees Recognized for Affordable Housing Leadership at Enterprise Community Partners’ 2025 Southland Social

Los Angeles - Three exceptional leaders in affordable housing were recognized for their outstanding work during Enterprise Community Partners' (Enterprise) 2025 Southland Social on Thursday, September 18, at The Grand in Los Angeles.

The Southland Social is the nonprofit's signature annual gathering in Southern California, bringing together more than 250 leaders across the nonprofit, public, and private sectors to celebrate individuals and organizations whose work strengthens communities and expands housing opportunities. The 2025 honorees were recognized for their commitment to sustainability, decarbonization, and climate resilience for our region's affordable housing stock and our communities more broadly.

· Visionary of the Year: Lourdes Castro Ramirez, Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles President and CEO

· Community Partner of the Year: East LA Community Corporation (ELACC)

· Business Partner of the Year: Wells Fargo

"Each of this year's honorees brings unique contributions to the affordable housing landscape in Los Angeles. Their leadership not only strengthens our collective ability to create and preserve much-needed affordable homes but also ensures that communities across the region remain places of opportunity, stability, and hope," Enterprise VP and Southern California Market Leader Jimar Wilson said. "We are proud to celebrate their achievements and look forward to continuing to work alongside them to address Southern California's most pressing housing challenges."

With more than 25 years' experience in affordable housing at the local, state, and federal levels, Castro Ramirez took the helm at HACLA nearly one year ago, where she has led the team on increasing affordable housing inventory through transformative public housing redevelopment efforts and acquisitions; advancing socioeconomic opportunities through HACLA's investment in people and place; and creating innovative opportunities to empower over 1,000 HACLA staff, ensuring their continued success.

"At HACLA, we believe that housing is the foundation to opportunity and Jordan Downs is where this vision comes to life," said Lourdes Castro Ramirez, President and CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles. "We are honored to receive this Visionary of the Year Award. It's a reminder that when we invest in people, we change lives; and we're committed to continuing our mission to preserve, expand, and reimagine deeply affordable housing, creating opportunities for families to thrive."

Thirty years ago, ELACC was founded to advance the economic and social justice needs of residents in Boyles Heights and East Los Angeles. Since 1995, the nonprofit has leveraged over $250 million in housing and other community development resources to fulfill that mission. Building on this legacy, ELACC announced last year that it will transition its entire housing portfolio-28 properties in total-to an all-electric energy system.

"The transition to clean technology represents an important step in how we care for both our residents and our neighborhoods," said Monica Mejia, ELACC President and CEO. "By moving toward sustainability, we are creating healthier living environments today while also doing our part to protect the future of our community. It is an honor to have this work recognized by Enterprise."

Wells Fargo has been a valued partner in Enterprise's work both locally and nationally, advancing initiatives such as Enterprise's Sustainable Connected Communities program in Southern California, the What's Possible publication reimagining climate innovations, and the national Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge. Through Enterprise, Wells Fargo has also invested more than $556 million in affordable housing and community development.

"Safe, affordable housing is the foundation for thriving communities. Through the partnership of Wells Fargo and Enterprise Community Partners, we're not just building homes-we're investing in futures, empowering individuals, and strengthening neighborhoods across the country," said Mario Holten, Vice President of Philanthropy and Community Impact, Southern California Region, Wells Fargo.

Proceeds from the Southland Social, presented by U.S. Bank, will directly support Enterprise's work across Southern California, including:

· Advancing permanent supportive housing for formerly unhoused Angelenos

· Preserving both subsidized and unsubsidized affordable housing vital to the region's long-term stability

· Driving community-driven solutions to climate change, ensuring resilience in neighborhoods most vulnerable to climate impacts

About Enterprise Community Partners

Enterprise is a national nonprofit that exists to make a good home possible for the millions of families without one. We support community development organizations on the ground, aggregate and invest capital for impact, advance housing policy at every level of government, and build and manage communities ourselves. Since 1982, we have invested $85.5 billion and created 1 million homes across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands - all to make home and community places of pride, power and belonging. In Southern California, Enterprise has helped create or preserve nearly 58,000 affordable homes in the region, deploying over $6.8 billion in capital to support equitable community development.