Gloria Farias
Executive Director
Gloria Farias
Gloria Farias directs all phases of community programs from designing to supervision, and development of affordable and Low-Income Housing, Government subsidized, Section 8, Tax Credits, and Tax-Exempt Bonds. She is the Executive Director of Pico-Union Housing Corporation, a California Nonprofit Organization, responsible for overseeing the implementation of Board plans, programs, policies, procedures and other Board decisions, assuring efficient and effective organizational operations and administration. Serves as liaison between governmental agencies and the community, maintains linkages with nonprofit related entities in the area, with community participation, prepared the Community Business Plan, acting as Business Planning Coordinator, oversees the purchase, new construction and/or rehabilitation of affordable housing and neighborhood facilities, identify potential financing sources, coordinates due diligence activities. Develops, coordinates, and implements community services and programs, for adults and particularly for youth at risk. Perform asset management for the residential contract of approximately 900-unit spread in 26 properties owned by the organization. In charge of the daily operations of the organization with executive duties responsible for the implementation of organizational and financial strategies to maintain the company financially.
Gloria Farias has been PUHC’s Executive Director since 1993, and has been a committed community leader for over 30 years, working with Pico-Union residents to improve their living standards and economic welfare. She has developed over $74.3 Million dollars of quality affordable housing under various programs such as tax credits, tax exempt bonds, 221 (d) 4, 202, CRA, LAHD and home financing. Through her contributions, PUHC has developed over 1000 units of affordable housing in the Pico-Union neighborhood in addition to a daycare and a computer center. She has also spearheaded community groups and business enterprises, organized graffiti and waste cleanups, and continuously conducts gang member and at-risk youth outreach.
Under the Mayor’s Leadership in 1999, Gloria Farias was part of an executive team to gain a certificate at USC on Real State for Economic Development marking a new model for healthy living for low income communities. In addition, she has received multiple awards from various council members and The Mayor’s Office Innovation and Sustainable Team.
Gloria Farias has been PUHC’s Executive Director since 1993, and has been a committed community leader for over 30 years, working with Pico-Union residents to improve their living standards and economic welfare. She has developed over $74.3 Million dollars of quality affordable housing under various programs such as tax credits, tax exempt bonds, 221 (d) 4, 202, CRA, LAHD and home financing. Through her contributions, PUHC has developed over 1000 units of affordable housing in the Pico-Union neighborhood in addition to a daycare and a computer center. She has also spearheaded community groups and business enterprises, organized graffiti and waste cleanups, and continuously conducts gang member and at-risk youth outreach.
Under the Mayor’s Leadership in 1999, Gloria Farias was part of an executive team to gain a certificate at USC on Real State for Economic Development marking a new model for healthy living for low income communities. In addition, she has received multiple awards from various council members and The Mayor’s Office Innovation and Sustainable Team.
Gloria Farias was recently nominated for an Honorable Degree for Architecture and Environmental Design at Los Angeles Trade Technical College. Her great detail on design, care for the use of technology and understanding of all architecture documentation throughout the life cycle of the building make her a great candidate. This nomination for honorary degrees recognizes her profound and enduring contributions to scholarship, culture, and improved quality of life in society at large. Gloria Farias is a person of great integrity, and she reflects the values the program.
Accomplishments in progress are:
- Development of a child care center for 100 kids (25 infants included)
- Development of the Homeownership program for first time buyers
- Acquisition of vacant land to construct more low cost housing for families and senior citizens in the community, in a manner similar to the successful development of the projects accomplished by the Corporation over the past years
- Refinancing of 399 units with Tax Exempt Bonds and Tax Credits
Pico-Union Housing Corporation (PUHC) was first organized in 1971; Ms. Gloria L. Farias was elected President of the organization in July 1987. Deeply involved with the community she maintains relationships with the youth and their families. Coordinates the development of vital programs for the community. Attending to the needs of youth at risk, middle school-aged children, organize and coordinates the implementation of after school and leadership development programs. Supervise the computer lab access, and recreation activities. Coordinates leadership development programs and community services.
Under the leadership of Ms. Farias, the Pico Union Housing Corporation organized the “Community Clean-up Program,” the “Adopt a Trash Can Program”, the “Bulky Items Clean-Up Program”, and the “Pico Union Beautiful Project.” In addition, the organization sponsors the local “Court Referral Program,” “Gang Outreach Program,” and the “Gang Member Wrap Program.” Other efforts under the guidance of Ms. Farias include the monthly “(Food) Program”, and the “Nutrition Program.”
In order to directly address the needs of the youth in the community for training and employment, the organization provides the “Temporary Youth Employment Program.” Furthermore, under her leadership, Pico Union Housing Corporation also sponsored the “New York Trip for the Pico Union Teen Post,” the “Options for Youth Program,” helping the children get back to school, the “Daniel Montoya Scholarship Fund” helps the youth get through college by issuing scholarships and the Memorial Fund to help the families with the interment costs.
April 28, 1992, during the L.A. Riots, 40 families went homeless as their building burned down as a result of the uprising. She assisted the families, sheltering them in one of the buildings owned by the organization and she efficiently coordinated with the Red Cross for immediate help to the homeless families. Also, she worked with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, providing them with space to open a Neighborhood Opportunity Center in the Bellevue Apartments, a building owned by the organization and located in the middle of the area where the uprising took place. The Neighborhood Opportunity Center is still in operations under the supervision of Ms. Farias. The Center later got moved to the central offices of the organization.
Earlier, from 1981 to 1985, Ms. Farias was the Assistant Director of the Pico Union Teen Post headed by Ms. Frances Roman. Ms. Farias developed and implemented many programs for dancing and cooking classes, and counseling for personal problems such as drugs and child abuse.
During the Northridge earthquake, Ms. Farias assisted the community by sheltering families and coordinating with the Red Cross to find them safe housing and moving them to the housing.
In 1997, Ms. Farias created the Neighborhood Computer Center with 16 computers and a teacher to provide computer classes and ensure that the residents of the community were not left behind by the digital advances taking place and that the youngsters in the community would have an opportunity to learn skills that are necessary to be successful in their future. She works closely with all political figures (local, state, and federal) to provide the community with support services and dynamic programs for the youth and families, and with members of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) along with others in the Housing and Urban 1 Development (HUD).
Ms. Farias is a devoted wife of Mr. Bolivar Rios and a mother of four children. She was born, raised and maintained a residence in the Pico Union Area. She now resides in the Monterey Park area but she still devotes the majority of her time in the Pico Union area.
Under her leadership and vision, PUHC has not only created healthy homes but also services and opportunities to create communities that thrive through the GRAFF LAB and PUEDE Center.
In 2016 she created the Pico Union Economic Development Enterprise (PUEDE) Center’s with workshops that offer self-sufficiency. PUEDE CENTER provides innovative education with design-build solutions that aimed to beautify the neighborhood by providing healthy food, green spaces, honor historic houses, transforming community and providing job training experience.
In 2006 The Graff Lab was born, it is an urban sanctuary for artists, kids, and adults that opened after the Los Angeles public school district cut its after-school art programs. World famous for its graffiti and aerosol art. The Graff Lab offers free tutoring and counseling in addition to free dance and music lessons
The USC Boxing Club has a training facility at The Graff Lab, so free boxing lessons are available as well. Additionally, The Graff Lab hosts a variety of cultural events, including Halloween parties, Thanksgiving get-togethers, a Virgin of Guadalupe celebration and a Christmas toy drive.
In 2019, Gloria Farias was awarded U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address environmental justice issues in California. To repurpose garbage-filled alleys into outdoor community spaces filled with green infrastructure and community gardens. The Green Alleys will help mitigate air pollution, decrease urban run-off, recharge ground water and help improve water quality in the LA river watershed.
Current Real Estate Development projects include smart and green cities in different parts of US States and Mexico.