On Monday, June 3, 2024, the LACDA co-sponsored the LA County Faith-Based Affordable Housing Summit. With over 100 attendees, religious organizations received valuable information, resources, and connections to advance affordable housing projects on their properties. Summit discussions covered:
- Understanding Affordable Housing
- Case Studies of Faith-Based Affordable Housing Projects
- Relevant State and Local Laws
- Resources for Next Steps
Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, the visionary behind the Summit, addressed the audience, emphasizing her commitment to supporting faith-based community efforts in affordable housing.
MEETING RESOURCES
Faith Based Summit Agenda
PowerPoint Presentations - PDF
Meeting Video Recording
Questions?
Email FBSummit@LACDA.org.
ABOUT FAITH-BASED AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Senate Bill 4 (S B4) provides a streamlined process for religious institutions to develop affordable housing on their underutilized land. SB 4 simplifies the process for these institutions to build multifamily housing regardless of local zoning restrictions. Click here for more information about SB 4.
PLEASE NOTE
Information provided by LA County Public Works and LA County Planning at the Summit applies only to properties in unincorporated LA County. For properties elsewhere, seek entitlement and permit information from the relevant jurisdiction. Other Summit information will be applicable to all areas of LA County.
MEETING PRESENTERS
 Fouad Barakat, MS, PE Building Plancheck, Consultant Management, & Affordable Housing Section Head and Chief Building Inspector of Building and Safety Division, Public Works fbarakat@dpw.lacounty.gov | Biography
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 Frank Martinez | Biography Francisco (Frank) Martinez joined SCANPH as Policy Director in 2019. He believes that in Southern California we have an obligation to build affordable housing for everyone who needs it – and he advocates for land use and funding policies to get us there. He works with partners throughout the state and decision makers within SCANPH’s five county region to expand affordable housing for the most vulnerable people in Southern California. A Milwaukee native, Frank practiced law in New York City before working in Mayor Cory Booker’s administration in Newark, New Jersey for five years. He became chief of staff of Newark’s Department of Economic and Housing Development as the city dramatically increased affordable housing production. Frank graduated from Swarthmore College and the University of Pennsylvania Law School and also has experience in municipal finance. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and three sons.
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| Biography Hyepin Im, CPA, MBA, M.Div., is the President and Founder of Faith and Community Empowerment (FACE, formerly KCCD), a national nonprofit focused on empowering churches and nonprofits for economic development. As a former U.S. Presidential Appointee on the Board of Americorps, she has led initiatives that have impacted thousands, including educating over 15,000 homebuyers, saving over $91 million in mortgages from foreclosure, and developing financial literacy curriculums in partnership with organizations like FDIC and Freddie Mac. Hyepin is a sought-after speaker and has been featured on CNN and NPR, quoted in publications like the Los Angeles Times and the Washington Post. She serves on various advisory boards, including the Mayor’s Interfaith Collective and the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Metro-Urban Institute Advisory Council. Hyepin holds a B.S. from U.C. Berkeley, an M.B.A. from the University of Southern California, and an M.Div., summa cum laude, from Wesley Theological Seminary.
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 Pastor John Oh | Biography Pastor John Oh is the Project Manager for Faith in Housing. His role is to facilitate the building of affordable and permanent supportive housing on congregation and denomination-owned land. He comes from over fifteen years of parish ministry in LA County and has “the soul of an organizer” stemming from his Wesleyan roots of social justice and spirituality. He is passionate about reducing environmental impact and designing greener buildings as a LEED AP with a background in construction engineering and management. John has a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary.
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| Biography Kiana Gutierrez joined the Southern California Association of Nonprofit Housing (SCANPH) in 2022 as the Membership and Communications Associate. With a robust background in press relations and social media management, Kiana brings a blend of strategic communication and digital savvy to her role. A proud alumna of California State University, Northridge, Kiana earned her degree in Communication Studies with a specialization in Public Relations. A native to Los Angeles, Kiana understands how crucial it is to get people off the streets and into safe, affordable homes. In her role, Kiana is committed to amplifying SCANPH's mission, leveraging her expertise to foster meaningful connections, and driving impactful communication strategies.
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