
At Abode Communities, our mission is to open new doors in people’s lives through creative and responsible design, development and operation of service-enhanced affordable housing.
Since 1968, when we were founded as the Los Angeles Community Design Center, Abode Communities has found success through the strength of our fully integrated, multidisciplinary approach. Every project receives the benefit of the experience and cooperation of our core groups: Development, Architecture, Housing Services and Resident Services.
Abode Communities’ specific strength is building sustainable, multi-family affordable housing to address the needs of Southern California's large workforce, low-income families, seniors and individuals with special needs. Currently, we own 34 properties throughout our region that are home to more than 4,000 residents.
Beyond bricks and mortar, Abode Communities is committed to the individual success of each of our residents. We build child care centers, community centers and computer labs into our facilities, and provide an enriching Resident Services Program.
Our work encourages participation and leadership in our communities, enhances children’s academic achievement and self-esteem, and helps adults to become confident and educated contributors to their community.
Our mission is to open new doors in people's lives through creative and responsible design, development, and operation of service-enhanced affordable housing.
Who we are: People
We value our employees as well as their skills and dedication and strive to promote creativity, professional growth and responsibility in a productive and sustainable work environment.
Who we serve: Families
We value our residents and learn from their diversity and shared experiences to enhance the design, development and operation of communities that promote personal growth, family stability, and community pride.
What we do: Housing
We value quality and leadership in the design and development of affordable housing that incorporates environmental sustainability, cost efficiency, durability and livability and will advocate for such standards within our industry.
What we achieve: Great Neighborhoods
We value projects that transform and revitalize neighborhoods and will be a catalyst for progressive and positive physical, social and economic change.

Robin Hughes, President and Chief Executive OfficerBuilding a better life and pursuing opportunity begins with having a place to live. Robin Hughes, President and Chief Executive Officer, has built Abode Communities into one of the top 50 developers of affordable housing nationwide and the premier affordable housing provider in Los Angeles.
For the last 14 years, she has guided the nonprofit through a period of incredible change and expansion shepherding the development of 25 properties, creating more than 1,400 new affordable homes, providing a social safety net through a substantive Resident Services Program and leading the industry in innovation and sustainable building practices. Prior to rejoining Abode Communities in January 1996, Robin served as its Housing Director between 1990 and 1994. Previously she held positions in the private and public sectors with The Richman Group of Companies, Citibank, the Community Development Commission of the County of Los Angeles, and the Office of the Mayor of the City of Los Angeles.
Robin completed her four-year term as a Planning Commissioner for the City of Los Angels in September 2009. She served as Co-Chair of the City’s Housing Element Task Force where she helped make the most critical decisions about the supply and affordability of housing in Los Angeles. Also in 2009, Robin was named Chairperson of the Affordable Housing Advisory Council of The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco and a member of the JPMorgan Chase Community Advisory Board for Los Angeles.
Robin received her Master and Bachelor degrees in Public Administration from the University of Southern California and a certification from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government’s Executive Program Achieving Excellence in Community Development.
Rick Saperstein, Chief Financial Officer
Rick Saperstein is the Chief Financial Officer of Abode Communities and directs the Finance & Accounting and Asset Management departments. In this capacity, Mr. Saperstein is heavily involved in financial management, risk management and asset management for the organization and is also responsible for overseeing the portfolio in order to ensure achievement of financing performance goals and regulatory compliance, financial and tax reporting and budgeting.
Mr. Saperstein has more than 20 years of experience in accounting and finance within the real estate industry. Prior to joining Abode Communities, he was a Director of Accounting with Forest City Enterprise, Inc., an NYSE-listed real estate company with a large portfolio of mixed-income affordbale housing and mixed-use developments. In this capacity, he was responsible for internal and external financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, cash flow reporting and supervision of the accounting department. Mr. Saperstein also served as a Chief Financial Officer, Controller and Certified Public Accountant for various small and medium size companies, with a concentration in the real estate industry. As such he brings extensive knowledge and experience in real estate finance and accounting, software conversion and management and internal controls and system design.
Mr. Saperstein holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from California State University, Northridge and is a Certified Public Accountant.
James Dixon, AIA, LEED AP, Vice President, Director of Architecture
With 26 years of experience as an architect, planner, designer, project manager and project director for a variety of project types, Jim is knowledgeable in all aspects of project development from conceptual design through construction administration. At Abode Communities, Jim oversees design and production, provides project and technical oversight, manages client relations, mentors staff, cultivates business opportunities, engages in external relations and manages all administrative and business aspects of the Architectural Group, which ranges in size from 8 to 12 professional architects and designers.
Jim comes to Abode Communities from Nadel Architects, Inc. in Los Angeles where he worked for ten years, most recently as a Vice President overseeing projects such as market-rate and affordable housing, mixed-use, live-work, transit oriented and rehabilitation. Prior to his position at Nadel Architects, Jim was senior associate at both Carde Ten Architects in Santa Monica and Togawa and Smith Architects in Pasadena.
He has made multi-family residential developments the focus of his career, and has completed more than 4,000 housing units encompassing new and renovated affordable housing, market-rate residential housing, hotels, mixed-use centers, assisted living facilities and community centers.
Jim received his Bachelor of Architecture (BARCH) from the University of Southern California..

Holly Benson, Housing DirectorMs. Benson serves as the Housing Director of Abode Communities and, as such, is responsible for the development and financial packaging of its affordable housing projects, and for the training and supervision of the project management staff. She is instrumental in the identification of funding sources and negotiation of investment terms, the selection and management of development contracts, and the syndication of low-income housing tax credit projects. In addition, she works to ensure neighborhood participation in Abode Communities’ developments by consulting with local community groups and government entities about the composition and structure of affordable housing programs.
Ms. Benson has more than 10 years of experience in affordable housing. Most recently she served as Abode Communities’ Senior Project Manager overseeing the development of more than 100 affordable housing units. Prior to joining Abode Communities, Ms. Benson worked for Mercy Housing California. While there, she managed the development of more than 350 affordable housing units and secured an estimated $45 million in loans, grants and equity from both private and public sources. Ms. Benson also worked for the County of Orange Housing and Community Development Department where she was responsible for underwriting and making recommendations for loans to affordable housing developments as well as shaping the County’s community development policies. Ms. Benson is a former member of the Board of Directors for the Kennedy Commission.
Ms. Benson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from the University of California at Los Angeles.
Kasey Archey, Director of Housing ServicesAs the Vice President of Property Management & Resident Services, Kasey is responsible for the direct operations of its Property Management and Resident Service Groups. She is responsible for overseeing the management of all multi-family properties and ensures that the properties are properly managed and maintained consistent with the financial, physical and social goals, standards and requirements of Abode Communities, third party clients and regulatory agencies and funders. Her position also oversees the organization's resident services program, Beyond Homes and ensures the delivery of high quality support services within Abode Communities' residential portfolio.
Kasey has over 20 years of experience in the field of Affordable Housing/Property Management. Prior to joining Abode Communities, Kasey served as the Vice President of Goldrich & Kest. While there, she oversaw the entire operations of the Affordable Housing portfolio throughout the state of California. Ms. Archey also worked for Levine Management Group, Inc. where she was the Director of Operations.
Ms. Archey currently serves on the Board of Directors for AHMA-PSW as well as a member of NAHMA. She holds both the NAHP-e (National Affordable Housing Professional-Executive), NAHMA's most prestigious designation as well as FHC (Fair Housing Coordinator/Section 504 Compliance)
Ed Kline, Vice President of Human Resources and Administration
As Vice President of Human Resources and Administration for Abode Communities, Ed Kline is responsible for the planning, developing and implementing of the organization’s human resources, organizational development, office management, administration and information technology. In this capacity, Ed is a key member of the senior management team and helps guide the long-range strategic plans in these areas that affect the growth and success of Abode Communities and its people.
Approaching nearly 30 years in the field of Human Resources, from the U. S. Army to manufacturing, distribution and service companies across the country and around the world, Ed has worked with a wide variety of companies, providing his expertise in growing, expanding, reorganizing and start-up operations. Most recently, Ed served as Director of Human Resources for Jacmar Foodservice Distribution, as well as Utility Trailer, Mission Foods and Zacky Farms. In addition to several years as a human resources consultant, Ed was an Armor Officer in the U. S. Army occupying positions as commander of troops, staff and management planning, equipment testing, and recruit training and development.
Ed holds a Bachelor of Science in Physiology and Anatomy (Pre-Veterinary Medicine) from the University of California, Davis, and a Master of Science in Human Resources Systems Management from the University of Southern California.
Abode Community Housing is the nonprofit, community housing development organization (CHDO) affiliate of Abode Communities.
Incorporated in May 1996, Abode Community Housing was established to help further Abode Communities’ mission to develop affordable housing for low-income residents in the greater Los Angeles area, and to carry out other socially beneficial projects that support community and economic development in disadvantaged communities.
Community Housing currently owns seven affordable housing developments serving very low- and low-income families.
Ken Krug, Chair
Ken Krug is partner of real estate development in the law office of Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker LLP. Krug specializes in the financing of multifamily housing, where he represents banks, other institutional lenders and investors in connection with originating and structuring construction and permanent loans. He is also responsible for the private placement and credit enhancement of tax exempt municipals bonds. Krug is a principal California lawyer for a major national syndicator of low-income housing tax credits, and has structured and negotiated the acquisition of more than 300 real estate developments that qualified for such credits, either through competitive allocation or tax exempt bond financing. He earned his Bachelor’s degree summa cum laude from Duke University in 1979, and has a doctorate from University of Chicago Law School in 1982.
Ann Marie Hickambottom, Vice Chair
Forthcoming
Ben Espitia, Treasurer
Benicio (Ben) Espitia joined the Goodwill SOLAC staff in July 2000. As Director, Workforce Development, he is responsible for workforce training programs in healthcare, loss prevention and security, customer service, retail, introduction to computers, and GED literacy services. Espitia currently represents Goodwill SOLAC on the Board of Directors for the Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network Youth Council, the Southeast Los Angeles County Workforce Investment Board, and is co-chair of the City of Long Beach Weed and Seed Workforce Development and Re-entry Subcommittee.
Prior to joining Goodwill SOLAC, Espitia served as Director of Community Services for the Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center in Los Angeles. In that capacity, he worked with many Los Angeles County supported work and other employment agencies and was instrumental in developing a Business Advisory Council and a Hollywood/Wilshire Community Advisory Council for the regional center. He is a native of Texas and received his undergraduate degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Texas at Austin. He completed his graduate degree in Communication Disorders at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.
Patrice Wong, Secretary
Patrice Wong is Executive Director of Long Beach Day Nursery. She currently oversees a budget of $3 million and a staff of nearly 100 people. Prior to joining LBDN, she had 10 years of experience in community economic development, raising more than $3 million for programs focusing on small business development and access to capital. In addition to working with nonprofit agencies, she completed a two-year fellowship with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, during which she also completed an Executive Education program in Public Policy Management at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Prior to moving to the public sector, Wong held senior management positions in the advertising and retailing fields for more than 10 years. She is a graduate of Occidental College with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Psychology, and received her Masters of Business Administration from the University of Southern California. Wong currently serves as vice chair of the Long Beach Early Care and Education Committee, is the 4th district appointee to the Los Angeles County Child Care Planning Committee and is co-chair of the County Child Care Legislative Workgroup. She also serves on the board of the Long Beach Housing Development Company.
Michelle Williams Court
Michelle Williams Court is Vice President and General Counsel of Bet Tzedek Legal Services. Prior to joining Bet Tzedek, Court litigated state and federal discrimination cases, First and Fourth Amendment constitutional claims, predatory lending cases, and a wide variety of other public interest and civil rights cases. In addition, she served as a Civil Rights Fellow with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development where she participated in several ground-breaking Fair Housing Act cases. Court is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and serves as Vice Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities Elder Rights Committee. She served by appointment by California Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald George on the Judicial Council Probate Conservatorship Taskforce and also served on the California State Bar Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation.
Court has served as an Adjunct Professor at Loyola Law School and is a volunteer faculty member for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA). She has held several leadership positions in women’s bar associations, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Award in 2008 by Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles and the Loyola Law School Alumni Association Board of Governors award in 2011, both in recognition of her dedication to public service. She was featured as a 2006 Southern California Super Lawyers “Rising Star,” was named as a Southern California Super Lawyer in 2007 through 2010, and was named one of California’s Top 20 lawyers Under 40 years old. Court is a graduate of Pomona College and Loyola Law School.
Valerie Shaw
Valerie Shaw is currently serving her 15th year on the Los Angeles Board of Public Works, the city’s only full-time non-elected policy-making body. As Liaison Commissioner for the Bureau of Engineering, she is responsible for managing some of the City’s largest construction projects, as well as the South Los Angeles Initiative, a five-year strategic plan devoted to the revitalization of the South Los Angeles community and environs. Shaw’s experience on the board includes service as as board president from 2001 to 2005 and vice president from 1997-2001 and then again from 2007-2008. Shaw’s civil service began in 1987 as District Director and Deputy to former Los Angeles 6th District Council Member Ruth Galanter, where she remained until 1994. In 1995, she was appointmented to the Los Angeles Civil Service Commission in 1995. She received a bachelor's degree in sociology from California State University, Los Angeles and master’s degree in public administration from the University of Southern California. Presently, she serves as adjunct professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Southern California, guiding young minds about the workings of city hall politics and the structure of city government.
Executive Team
Robin Hughes, President & CEO
Rick Saperstein, Executive Vice President & CFO
Holly Benson, Vice President Housing Development
James Dixon, Vice President Architecture
Kasey Archey, Vice President Property Management
Ed Kline, Vice President Human Resources & Administration
The Figueroa Corridor Community Land Trust and Figueroa Corridor Land Company are complementary tools and crucial elements of a broad-based community economic development strategy to combat the collision course between slum housing, gentrification, and displacement of low-income residents in the Figueroa Corridor of South Los Angeles.
Working in tandem with the Land Trust is the Figueroa Corridor Land Company, housed within Abode Communities. The Land Company has been established as a vehicle for purchasing, holding and entitling Land Trust properties.
With grant and loan funds raised from local, state and national foundations and lending institutions, the Land Company will purchase as many properties as possible in the short-term to avert further price escalation and displacement of residents. Target properties will include dilapidated apartment buildings, vacant lots and underutilized residential, commercial and industrial properties.
Abode Communities
701 East 3rd Street, Suite 400
Los Angeles, California 90013
213-629-2702
info@abodecommunities.org
Ken Krug, Chair Ken Krug is partner of real estate development in the law office of Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker LLP. Krug specializes in the financing of multifamily housing, where he represents banks, other institutional lenders and investors in connection with originating and structuring construction and permanent loans. He is also responsible for the private placement and credit enhancement of tax exempt municipals bonds. Krug is a principal California lawyer for a major national syndicator of low-income housing tax credits, and has structured and negotiated the acquisition of more than 300 real estate developments that qualified for such credits, either through competitive allocation or tax exempt bond financing. He earned his Bachelor’s degree summa cum laude from Duke University in 1979, and has a doctorate from University of Chicago Law School in 1982.
Sandra Kulli, Vice Chair Sandra Kulli is principal of Kulli Marketing, a development consultant devoted to helping owners, builders, architects, planners and marketers learn the business and art of high concept and urban infill placemaking. She has collaborated with over 100 companies and 220 communities throughout the United States, Japan, New Zealand, England and Dubai, resulting in a sales volume in excess of $6 billion. As principal, she leads outside marketing resources in concert with builder/developer staff members to determine market DNA, provide long-term planning, build and facilitate teams, map development process, provide consumer workshops, enhance relationships, create and management demand, and preserve value. Her local clients include Boeing, Playa Vista, The Irvine Company, 5 Point Communities, Thomas Properties Group, The Ratkovich Company and Gateway Capital, to name a few. Kulli received her bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College and earned a master’s degree from Boston University.
Sarah Garland, Secretary Sarah Garland has served as Fannie Mae’s national director of multifamily affordable housing since 2005. She is responsible for the production and management of all multifamily affordable products such as tax-exempt bonds, low-income housing tax credit transactions and affordable housing preservation transactions, and is instrumental in providing the executive oversight and management in fostering and growing Fannie Mae’s affordable housing lender relationships. Prior to joining Fannie Mae, Garland was vice president of Wells Fargo Bank’s Community Lending Division in Los Angeles. Her responsibilities included oversight of community lending activities in Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. Garland is considered an industry specialist in affordable housing finance, and has proved to be a resource for organizations and publications such as Southern California Association of Nonprofit Housing, Institute for Responsible Housing Preservation, Novogradac & Company and Affordable Housing Finance, among more. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations from University of California, Los Angeles.
Fernando Villa, Treasurer Fernando Villa joined the law offices of Pircher, Nichols & Meeks in 2007 as a partner in the firm’s real estate department. Devoted to land use, environmental law, local government, entitlements and real estate dispute resolution, he represents clients on a variety of development projects including mixed-use, industrial, residential, retail, master-planned and commercial developments. With a concentration on Brownfield redevelopment projects, Villa combines his environmental, land use, real estate, public agency law and litigation expertise to entitle his clients’ developments while helping them manage environmental risks and any real-estate related disputes that might arise during the process. Villa received his doctorate from the University of California at Berkley, Boalt School of Law, and earned a bachelor’s degree from University of California, Los Angeles, graduating magna cum laude.
Maria Bustria-Glickman Maria Bustria-Glickman is Vice President of Business Development for U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation. She is responsible for managing new markets and historic tax credit origination activities throughout the Western region of the country. Since joining U.S. Bank, Bustria-Glickman has been involved with a variety of tax credit transactions that have included mixed-use, commercial, office, hospitality, retail and community facilities. She has over 11 years of combined finance, affordable housing and management consulting experience across private and non-profit sectors. Her professional interests are rooted in experiences that merge economic and financial gains with positive social and community impact. Bustria-Glickman received a master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from the School of International & Public Affairs at Columbia University and bachelor’s degree in Finance and Accounting from Boston College.
Gail Lannoy Gail Lannoy is West Region Market Executive for Community Development Banking, where she is responsible for managing Bank of America’s community development programs in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. These programs include financing the construction and preservation of affordable and workforce housing, lending to charter schools and community-based organizations and investing in tax credits. Prior to joining Bank of America, Lannoy was vice president at First Interstate Bank of California (now Wells Fargo Bank). There she managed the bank’s Los Angeles real estate center and a portfolio of commercial and residential construction loans. Lannoy graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor of arts degree. She graduated from the University of Southern California with an MBA in Finance. Lannoy serves on the board of the Los Angeles Downtown Women’s Center and on its Governance Committee. She is past board chairperson for the California Community Reinvestment Corporation, a certified Community Development Financial Institution serving the California market and also serves on the board of the Los Angeles Urban League.
John Dale, FAIA John Dale is associate principal and studio designer for the K-12 studio of Harley Ellis Devereaux in Los Angeles. His educational projects have been honored with numerous awards at the national, state and local levels. An experienced communicator, Mr. Dale has lectured and taught at MIT, UCLA, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and participated in symposia, design reviews and competition juries. Dale is currently teaching a Topic Studio at USC’s School of Architecture where he is a regular instructor. Dale is a published author including features and project highlights in articles, monographs and journals such as FORM, Spazio e Societa/Space and Society, Architectural Record, LA Forum for Architecture and Urban Design Newsletter.
Antonio Manning Antonio Manning is regional manager for the west and southwest regions for JPMorgan Chase Global Philanthropy Group, where he is responsible for managing philanthropic and community relations. His previous experience includes service as first vice president and regional grants manager for Washington Mutual’s (now JPMorgan Chase) Community and External Affairs Division. In this capacity, he managed community relations and company corporate contributions in affordable housing, community development and educational reform initiatives in the State of California. Prior to joining WaMu, he served as the western regional director of the Fannie Mae Foundation for an 11-state region. Manning is a founding member of African-Americans in Philanthropy Southern California, the commissioner for the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority and an advisory board member of the Blazers Youth Service Organization. Manning attended the University of Southern California and is a native of Los Angeles.
Byron K. Reed Byron K. Reed is Senior Vice President and Director of Wells Fargo’s Los Angeles Metropolitan Region, Community Development Group. He has over 29 years of banking experience including working for institutions such as Bank of America, Bank One and JPMorgan Chase. His depth of experience includes retail banking, client trust services; consumer, small business and commercial lending, government relations, community development; global and corporate philanthropy; and most recently, consumer real estate. Reed serves on numerous boards, which include appointments to the UCLA School of Public Affairs Advisory Board, Los Angeles Police Foundation, the Pat Brown Institute, Chrysalis, Urban League of Los Angeles, Big Brothers and Sisters of Greater Los Angeles, and the United States Community Development Corporation. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science/public administration with a minor in business finance from the University of Oklahoma.
Valerie Shaw Valerie Shaw is currently serving her 15th year on the Los Angeles Board of Public Works, the city’s only full-time non-elected policy-making body. As Liaison Commissioner for the Bureau of Engineering, she is responsible for managing some of the City’s largest construction projects, as well as the South Los Angeles Initiative, a five-year strategic plan devoted to the revitalization of the South Los Angeles community and environs. Shaw’s experience on the board includes service as as board president from 2001 to 2005 and vice president from 1997-2001 and then again from 2007-2008. Shaw’s civil service began in 1987 as District Director and Deputy to former Los Angeles 6th District Council Member Ruth Galanter, where she remained until 1994. In 1995, she was appointmented to the Los Angeles Civil Service Commission in 1995. She received a bachelor's degree in sociology from California State University, Los Angeles and master’s degree in public administration from the University of Southern California. Presently, she serves as adjunct professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Southern California, guiding young minds about the workings of city hall politics and the structure of city government.
Lucinda Starrett Lucinda Starrett is a partner in the Los Angeles law offices of Latham & Watkins, where she is a member and former chair of the office’s Environmental, Land and Resources Department. She co-chairs the Land Use Practice Group and the Climate Change Practice Group. Her practice includes approval for real estate development and infrastructure projects, advising on government contract issues, as well as related environmental and transactional matters. Her California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) practice focuses on administrative and pre-litigation counseling. Starrett served as the Chair of the Central City Association and was a founding board member of Genesis LA, a nonprofit devoted to economic development activities. Her community activities include service on the board of the Los Angeles Parks Foundation, which supports parks and recreation activities. She has been recognized as both a Leading Woman in Real Estate and as a Woman of Achievement by the Century City Chamber of Commerce, and named among the "Top 100 Lawyers in California” by the Daily Journal. Ms. Starrett graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs in 1979 and graduated cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1984. She served as executive director of a University of Pennsylvania-Princeton study of philanthropy and was a Fulbright Scholar, studying women’s roles in politics in developing countries.
Ronne Thielen Ronne Thielen is the principal of Housing Resource Connection, assisting those working in the low-income housing tax credit arena. Prior to this latest venture, she was a Managing Director in the Affordable Housing Group of Centerline Capital Group where she managed the California office and was responsible for acquiring tax-credit and bond-financed properties throughout the United States. Thielen is the Immediate Past President and Chairman of the Board of the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition, a Past Chairman and current board member of the National Housing & Rehabilitation Association and is on the board of the California Housing Consortium. She has extensive experience in multifamily housing finance and has specialized in the low-income housing tax credit program since its inception in 1986. Before her seventeen years at Centerline, she served as executive director of the California Tax Credit Allocation. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cornell University.
We currently have the following open position(s):
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT AND CEOWe value our residents. By observing and learning learn from their diversity and shared experiences, we are able to enhance the design, development and operation of communities that promote personal growth, family stability, and community pride.
Helping children thrive
Children in low-income families are disproportionately affected by the lack of quality, affordable housing. Their safety is endangered when they play in dilapidated, unsecured and unsupervised areas. They are more vulnerable to illness from asbestos, contaminated water, lead poisoning or other hazards. Their futures are at risk as well. Research shows that when children live in poor housing conditions or must move frequently, their education suffers.
We work with communities to assess their needs and coordinate with a network of local organizations, volunteers and government agencies to link children, youth, families and adults with social, educational, cultural and recreational services.
At Abode Communities family housing developments, we work in partnership with community groups to offer children and youth services such as:
The combination of safe, well-designed housing and academic and enrichment programs designed for children and youth helps reduce the educational achievement gap, with long-term benefits not only to our resident children, but also to our nation’s overall economic competitiveness.
We value projects that transform and revitalize neighborhoods and will be a catalyst for progressive and positive physical, social and economic change.
Neighborhood Impact
The communities in which we work have usually experienced tremendous disinvestment. As we focus on place-based changes through affordable housing and supportive resources, we have witnessed how investment in neighborhoods, is a catalyst for stronger communities.
Many of those struggling to make ends meet live in neighborhoods with lack of adequate housing and community resources, and are among the hardworking individuals many of us rely on each day – janitors, child care providers, bank tellers, nurses’ aides, security guards, retail clerks, truck drivers and teachers. The average incomes for these, and far too many other workers, are simply not enough to pay the rent on most apartment units in our urban areas. It is even more difficult for working parents to make ends meet, as the cost of child care is an additional, and expensive, burden.
Through comprehensive revitalization and placemaking, Abode Communities transforms entire neighborhoods and provides safe and stable homes for families. Building a better life and pursuing opportunity begins with having a place to live, and for more than four decades, Abode Communities has provided thousands of families with affordable homes.
November 2010 Newsletter
December 2009 Newsletter
September 2009 Newsletter
November 27, 2010
Glassell Park Community Housing Featured in the Los Angeles Times
November 23, 2010
Robin Hughes, Abode Communities President, Chosen as Huffington Post's "Greatest Person of the Day"
October 27, 2010
Abode Communities Awarded $4 Million by U.S. Treasury
October 11, 2010
Ivy Terrace Opens in Van Nuys
July 30, 2010
California Construction Highlights Our LEED Platinum Certification
June 3, 2010
Five Developments Making Eco-Friendly Living Affordable
June 15, 2010
Casa Dominguez Hits Globe Street
April 10, 2010
The Los Angeles Times Features Our Newest Affordable Community, Casa Dominguez
March 10, 2010
Read about our newest affordable community, Casa Dominguez, on The Green Architecture and Building Report (GAB Report)
September 18, 2009
Tavis Smiley Interviews Holly Benson, Housing Director for Abode Communities
September 16, 2009
California Community Foundation Honors Abode Communities with Unsung Heroes Award
July 22, 2009
Robin Hughes, President of Abode Communities, Discusses State Budget Threat to Affordable Housing
July 1, 2009
New and traditional financing options help deliver much needed affordable homes
April 1, 2009
Abode Communities Named One of the Top 50 Affordable Housing Developers in the Nation
American Planning Association
Planning Implementation Award
Lohart Neighborhood
Revitalization Plan, 1999
Social Change and Diversity Award
New Dana Strand, 2008
California Council of the American Institute of Architects
Community Housing and Assistance Honor Award 1995, 1996
California Preservation Foundation
Design Award
Mary Andrews Clark Residence, 1995
Design Award
Young Apartments, 1996
California Redevelopment Association
Award for Excellence in Multi-family Housing
Las Brisas Community Housing, Phase I, 2006
Award for Excellence in Multi-family Housing
Grisham Community Housing, 2005
Award for Excellence in Multi-family Housing
Orange Grove Gardens, 2007
City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Commission Historic Preservation Award of Excellence Mary Andrews Clark Residence, 1996
City of Los Angeles Human Relations Commission
Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Volunteer Service, 1979
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Federal Housing Commissioner’s Special Recognition Award, 1994
Best Practices Award, Community Planning and Development
Lohart Neighborhood Revitalization Plan, 1999
Great Western Financial Corporation
Leslie N. Shaw, Sr. Memorial Award, 1988
Local Initiatives Support Corporation
Founder’s Award, 1989
Senior Housing Council of the Building Industry Association of Southern
California
SAGE Merit Award Winner - Project of the Year
Heritage Court Apartments, 2001
Los Angeles Business Council
Beautification Award for Remodeled Multi-family Residence
Hollywood El Centro, 1996
Beautification Award for Remodeled Multi-family Residence
Mary Andrews Clark Residence, 1995
Beautification Award for Historic Preservation
Young Apartments, 1996
Gold Nugget “Best in the West”
Award of Merit
Mary Andrews Clark Residence, 1995
City of Los Angeles Community Development Department
Award of Excellence in Community Development Block Grant Programs, 1997
Southern California Association of Non-Profit Housing
Project of the Year, Orange Grove Gardens, 2006
Project of the Year, Heritage Court Apartments, 2001
Developer of the Year, 1996
Project of the Year, Hollywood El Centro, 1995
Project of the Year, Young Apartments, 1995
Project of the Year, Orange Grove Gardens 2006
Project of the Year, Hart Village 2008
LEED Property Management Manual
SCANPH 2009: Post Construction Hand Off
Union Bank 2009 Green Housing Conference
ULI LA Housers - AIM Process 2011
USGBC GREEBUILD 2011 - Project-Specific Utility Allowance
In these difficult times, your contributions mean so much more.
Beyond Homes, the Abode Communities resident services program, must now fill an even greater void for families who have experienced jobs loss, have limited access to support services, or may be on the verge of homelessness.
Your donation can support on-site services that make hop a reality for the families who call Abode Communities' developments "home."
Click: Donate Now
Call:
213-225-2730
Mail:
Abode Communities
701 East 3rd Street, Suite 400
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Your contribution is tax deductible as permitted by law; tax identification number 95-6377511. Please make checks payable to Abode Communities. Call 213-225-2730 with any questions.
Abode Communities thanks the many individuals and organizations whose support was vital in helping us help others in our community this year:
Anonymous
Accountemps
ADCO
Bank of America
Binney, Chase & Van Horne, Inc.
Broadway Federal Bank
California Community Foundation
Center for Creative Land Recycling
Citi Community Capital
Citi Foundation
Community Development Department of the City of Los Angeles
Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles
Enterprise Community Partners
Enterprise Green Communities
Gabriel's Carpets
Manufacturers Bank
Morley Builders
Reznick Group
Total Maintenance Group
Turner Construction
U.S. Treasury Department
Union Bank
Union Bank Foundation
US Bancorp Foundation
US Green Building Council
Wells Fargo Bank
Wells Fargo Foundation
Addressing the overwhelming need in the community for affordable housing, Morgan Place is an enriching and sustainable development of 55 apartments for low-income seniors designed with the latest amenities, privacy and comfort for residents in mind. Education, health and recreation programs, in addition to on-site case management, promote independent living and individuality in a secure and supportive environment.
Elegantly designed with Mediterranean influences, Morgan Place blends seamlessly into the surrounding neighborhood. Sustainable building practices were incorporated throughout, including a solar energy system designed and installed by SolarCity, which provides 75% of the electricity for all common areas. Other green elements include Energy Star-rated heating and cooling systems, Energy Star-qualified appliances in all apartments, high-performance windows, 100% compact fluorescent lighting, optic skylights and recycled content carpets.
The apartments are available to seniors with incomes between 30% and 50% of the area median income or $15,930 to $30,300. Rents range from $381 to $665 per month.