Bass Taps In California Housing Finance Agency Executive to Lead LA Housing

Mayor Karen Bass has called on Tiena Johnson, executive director of the California Housing Finance Agency, to serve as the next general manager for the city's Housing Department, her office announced Friday.

If her nomination is confirmed by the L.A. City Council, Johnson would oversee efforts to increase affordable housing, preservation of such units, and move forward homelessness solutions. Tricia Keane, executive officer for LAHD, has served as the interim general manager after Ann Sewill retired from the position earlier this year.

"Tiena Johnson Hall is a recognized leader in affordable housing production, preservation, lending and financing," Bass said in a statement. "She brings more than 30 years of experience working within nonprofit affordable housing development, private financing, Los Angeles and California state government."

"I believe she will make an excellent Housing Department general manager who will challenge the existing affordable housing system and cut through red tape to increase and maintain affordable housing in Los Angeles," she added.

In her role with California Housing Finance Agency, Johnson oversees bond issuance, manages funding from the private sector as well as from the state and federal government. Born in Los Angeles, Johnson raised her two children in public affordable housing where issues such as housing quality, preservation and access became important for her, according to Bass' office.

"I am honored to have this opportunity and will put my full focus toward challenging the existing system to create more flexibility, more innovation and coordination with the local housing community along with the state and federal government to bring more people inside and help them stay housed for good," Johnson said in a statement.