National CORE President Mike Ruane is inspiring the next generation of property management professionals through the Howard and Irene Levine Affordable Housing and Development Program (LAHDP).
Mike, who is co-director of the LAHDP, has been shaping the curriculum and assembling guest speakers for the program since its inception in 2018. The latest cohort was held in September at the UCLA Ziman Center for Real Estate and allowed a hand-selected group of 29 affordable housing up-and-comers to develop their knowledge by learning skills from sectors such as construction, management and financing.
Mike moderated the two-week course, leading participants through online courses and in-person lectures from industry professionals about topics such as the housing crisis, architecture and design, permanent supportive housing, tax-credit programs and funding sources.
“While the work of National CORE and Hope through Housing is extremely impactful, it is also important to invest in the next generation of professionals who will be leading the affordable housing industry,” Mike said. “The UCLA Howard and Irene Levine Affordable Housing Development Program has been a wonderful initiative for our industry, and I have enjoyed the opportunity to help train and engage groups of emerging leaders who are committed to a shared mission.”
National CORE’s Senior Vice President of Planning & Acquisitions Alexa Washburn, who was an LAHDP participant in 2018, said Mike’s position as a thought-leader is invaluable for the program’s success. She said that his insider knowledge provides students with a strong foundation for growth in the affordable housing market.
“As co-director of the LAHDP, Mike is in a perfect position to shape the program to be less theoretical and more practical,” Alexa said. “His influence ensures that program students get real-life experience that they can use in their jobs.”
Regional Project Manager Zandria Smith graduated with the 2023 cohort and called the experience “eye-opening” since she now understands the minutia of many affordable housing careers beyond her own job. She said hearing about Mike’s experience as a senior leader at National CORE and his leadership positions with the County of Orange and CalOptima Health had a profound impact on how she will approach on-the-job challenges.
“Working in affordable housing is not an easy job, but this knowledge will help us to do the work, help our communities and residents and help us thrive!” Zandria said.
Throughout 2023, students from various disciplines, such as housing authorities, government agencies and even architects participated in the program. Since the start of the program, 238 individuals from 32 different organizations have graduated from the two-week program – eight of whom are National CORE Employees.
“The LAHDP focuses on two very important aspects: the first being teamwork. Most of the program training is conducted in groups and we want these students to learn about collaboration,” Mike said. “Second: We want to instill the understanding that our business involves helping people who are sometimes the most vulnerable in our society.”
Sessions were split between networking with other classmates to build work relationships, training sessions to expand knowledge about affordable housing fundamentals and speaking events by professionals from companies such as April Housing, AMJ Construction Management, Inc. and Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company.
The next LAHDP cohort is expected to take place in either late summer or early fall of 2024.