Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has appointed Lourdes Castro Ramírez, Secretary of the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, as the new Chief Housing and Homelessness Officer earlier today. This development was reported by the Mayor's Office.
This change in leadership comes during ongoing efforts to alleviate the city's housing crisis. Efforts led by the outgoing Chief of Housing and Homelessness Solutions for the Bass Administration, Mercedes Márquez, quick to aid unhoused residents, have reportedly assisted over 17,000 people.
Ramírez will assume her new role on November 6, 2023, while Márquez will remain an active part of Mayor Bass' office as a senior advisor. Márquez's work has resulted in over 7,000 new units of affordable housing and managing $150 million of Measure ULA funding for emergency rental assistance among other initiatives.
In a statement, Mayor Bass displayed her appreciation for Márquez's work and optimism for Ramírez's future contributions. "We must continue our momentum and progress in confronting the emergency of this homelessness crisis, and I am excited to bring on Secretary Lourdes Castro Ramírez to this transformative work," said Mayor Bass. Since her appointment as Secretary in March 2020 by Governor Gavin Newsom, Ramírez has aided the preservation and expansion of safe, affordable housing and implementation of preventive measures to combat homelessness while advocating consumer and civil rights. Mayor Bass acknowledged via a statement.
Ramírez's tenure involved managing over $31 billion in funding to support rental and homeownership opportunities, and dispensing over $11 billion in homelessness solutions. Past roles include leading the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Public and Indian Housing during President Barack Obama’s term, and serving as the president and CEO of the San Antonio Housing Authority, and also director at the L.A. City Housing Authority.
An overview of Ramírez's illustrious career exhibits her commitment and expertise in tackling housing and homelessness issues. Her Mexican roots and experiences in Los Angeles, are expected to further inspire her new role in LA.
Upon her appointment, Ramírez expressed gratitude to Governor Newsom and eagerness to contribute under Mayor Bass and Márquez's guidance, saying, "Today, I am honored to join in Mayor Bass' efforts to continue this work, bringing my experience and passion for urgent, collaborative and transformative solutions to Los Angeles." In Ramírez's own words, her return to the city that welcomed her family from Mexico signifies an intensified pledge to improve conditions for the residents of Los Angeles, as mentioned in the Mayor's Office website.
