MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA APPOINTS DOUGLAS GUTHRIE AS NEW GENERAL MANAGER OF THE LOS ANGELES HOUSING DEPARTMENT
New General Manager has distinguished career with strong commitment to mixed income and affordable housing
LOS ANGELES, CA – November 23, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today announced the appointment of Douglas Guthrie as the new General Manager of the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD). Mr. Guthrie brings with him a wealth of experience in community development, housing affordability and urban policy.
“Throughout his distinguished career, Douglas Guthrie has provided a bold vision for affordable housing,” Mayor Villaraigosa said. “Mr. Guthrie brings to Los Angeles his tireless commitment to community development and decent and fair housing. He understands the urgency and importance of the task ahead, and I am confident he will be instrumental in keeping our communities safe, livable and affordable for the hard working people of this City.”
Most recently, Mr. Guthrie served for six years as President of Kimball Hill Urban centers in Chicago, where he successfully built mixed income, affordable housing and mixed use communities in challenged urban areas, in part, by effectively creating key partnerships with developers and funding sources while ensuring implementation of the nation’s best practices. Prior to that, Mr. Guthrie dedicated five years to creating affordable housing opportunities as Principal of the Davis Group and President of Urban Residential Group.
In 1989, Mr. Guthrie became the inaugural President of the National Equity Fund, a nonprofit working with not-for-profit community development corporations to raise capital for affordable housing. Under his guidance, more than 28,000 affordable residences were developed and financed using low income housing tax credits as well as funding from major corporations.
Additionally, Mr. Guthrie has earned significant public sector experience having served as Deputy Executive Director and the Chief Operating Officer for the Chicago Housing Authority from 1987 to 1989; Deputy Housing Commissioner from 1984 to 1988; and in multiple positions with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development from 1972 to 1984.
Mr. Guthrie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Kent State University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration with a specialty in Urban Studies also from Kent University. He has been recently affiliated with the Urban Studies Institute Advisory Committee for Preservation Compact program in Chicago and has been a member of the Real Estate Advisory Council for Enterprise Community Partners.
Contact:
Casey Hernandez
213-978-0741
