RENO, Nev.- The Reno Housing Authority Board of Commissioners has appointed Dr. Hilary Lopez as the new RHA executive director. Lopez started her position this week, and her commitment to affordable housing is clear. At the state and local levels, and the private sector, Lopez has more than 20 years’ experience in affordable housing finance and policy.
Prior to working at the RHA, Lopez was a senior associate at Praxis Consulting Group structuring the financing for affordable housing projects and utilizing federal programs including Rental Assistance Demonstration, Low Income Housing Tax Credit, HOME, Trust Funds, and tax-exempt bonds, along with private financing to assist clients build and preserve affordable housing. She also previously served in various leadership roles at the Nevada Housing Division.
“We are excited to have Dr. Lopez join the RHA team,” said Board Chairman Mark Sullivan. “In the 20 years I have known her, she has been a powerful and tireless advocate for affordable housing. She has an expansive knowledge of the industry and will be a great asset leading RHA into the future.”
Lopez has a doctorate of philosophy in geography from the University of Denver, a master of science in resource and applied economics from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a bachelor of arts degree in economics from Bard College. She is also certified as a Housing Development Finance Professional from the National Development Council and is a recognized HOME Program Specialist in Administration by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Lopez said, “I have always had such high respect for the Housing Authority, its talented staff, and the great work it does serving our community’s most vulnerable households. To be able to lead RHA in its next chapter and build and expand its housing services is truly an honor.”
Lopez takes the RHA helm from Amy Jones, who left the organization this spring.
About RHA:
Predominantly federally funded, the Reno Housing Authority provides affordable housing for qualifying residents of Washoe County. We help ensure nearly 9,000 Nevadans have a safe, secure place to call home through Housing Choice Vouchers, public housing and affordable market-rate properties. We’ve helped people afford to live in northern Nevada for 79 years.
Contact: April Conway, APR
775.842.0753
AConway@RenoHA.org