Fostering an Environment of Creativity & Community
At Meta Housing, our goal is to change the affordable housing landscape by building meaningful relationships and thriving communities.
About Meta Housing
Who We Are
Meta Housing is a leading affordable housing developer, dedicated to providing high-quality housing. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, we have established ourselves as a trusted partner in the field of affordable housing development.
Our team of experts is committed to executing innovative ideas and delivering results. We leverage our extensive experience, track record, and partnerships to create socially responsible, purpose-driven solutions that are tailored to the unique needs of each community we serve.
Our work speaks for itself.
What Makes Us Different
Track Record
With more than 30 years of experience and having won more than a hundred industry awards, our track record is a standout in the industry.
Assembling Financing
We specialize in securing state and federal funds. Our longstanding financial relationships with private lenders and investors garner premium financing terms, enabling us to arrange complex finance structures and best leverage limited public resources.
Community-Based Design
We pride ourselves on the idea that there is no one type of “Meta” building typology. Just as there is no one type of city or community, we work with the best design professionals to meet the needs of the communities in which we develop so that our developments are seamlessly integrated with the broader neighborhood.
Expert Team
Our team is comprised of experienced professionals with diverse skill sets. We are proficient and proactive at every stage of the intricate development process.
Our Story
Awards
2023
Santa Ana Arts Collective
- AIA California: Honor Award
LAMP Lodge
- SCANPH Homes Within Reach – Nominee, Best Supportive Housing Development of the Year
Silva Crossing
- SCANPH Homes Within Reach – Nominee, Best Supportive Housing Development of the Year
Mission Gateway
- San Fernando Valley Business Journal – Best Affordable Housing Project, Commercial Real Estate Awards
- SCANPH Homes Within Reach – Nominee, Best Supportive Housing Development of the Year
2022
Main Street Plaza Apartments
- National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) – Award of Merit
Westminster Crossing
- The Kennedy Commission Affordable Housing Awards – Best Large Family Development
Arboleda Apartments
- PCBC Gold Nugget – Award of Merit, Best Affordable Senior Housing Community
2021
Santa Ana Arts Collective
- AIA OC – Honor Award
- AIA Long Beach – Honor Award, South Bay
- Interior Design – Finalist, Best of Year Awards
- PCBC Gold Nugget – Award of Merit, Best Renovated, Restored or Adaptive Reuse Residential Project
- PCBC Gold Nugget – Award of Merit, Best Affordable Housing Community: 30 to 60 DU/Acre
Metro @ Buckingham
- PCBC Gold Nugget – Award of Merit, Best Affordable Senior Housing Community
Metro @ Western
- ArchDaily – Nominee, Building of the Year Award
Carson Arts Colony
- Affordable Housing Finance – Finalist, Readers’ Choice Awards
2020
Santa Ana Arts Collective
- SCANPH Homes Within Reach – Rehabilitation Development of the Year
- Southern California Development Forum – Design Award, Adaptive Reuse
Carson Arts Colony
- National Association of Home Builders – Platinum Award, Best in American Living: Affordable, Multifamily, Low Rise
The Cannery at Lewis Street
- PCBC Gold Nugget – Award of Merit, Best Affordable Housing Community: 30 to 60 DU/Acre
Metro @ Western
- PCBC Gold Nugget – Award of Merit, Best Affordable Housing Community: 30 to 60 DU/Acre
Courson Arts Colony East
- National Association of Home Builders – Gold Award, Best in American Living: Affordable, Multifamily, Low Rise
- PCBC Gold Nugget – Award of Merit, Best Affordable Housing Community: 30 to 60 du/acre
2019
Loma Linda Veterans’ Village
- SCANPH Homes Within Reach – Development of the Year, Supportive Housing
- National Home Builders Awards – Finalist, Multifamily Pillars of the Industry: Best Military or Veterans Housing Community
Metro @ Western
- AIA LA – Citation Award, Design: Multi-Unit Residential
Zinnia
- PCBC Gold Nugget – Award of Merit, Best Affordable Housing Community: 30 to 60 DU/Acre
Sylmar Court
- PCBC Gold Nugget – Award of Merit, Best Affordable Housing Community: 30 to 60 DU/Acre
The Cannery at Lewis Street
- National Association of Home Builders – Gold Award, Best in American Living: Affordable, Multifamily, Low Rise
2018
Zinnia
- PCBC Gold Nugget – Award of Merit, Best On-the-Boards Affordable Housing Community
- SCANPH Homes Within Reach – Honorable Mention
ACE/121
- Multi-Housing News Excellence – Best New Development and Design
- 2018 NAHB Multifamily Pillars of the Industry – Best Affordable Development: Up to 100 Units
Meta Housing
- Los Angeles Business Journal – Top Commercial Real Estate Developers
2017
ACE/121
- SCANPH Homes Within Reach – Honorable Mention
Long Beach & 21st
- Hardie Design – Finalist
5400 Hollywood Family Apartments
- Los Angeles County – 2017 Congressional Recognition of Excellence Award
2016
Long Beach & 21st
- PCBC Gold Nugget – Award of Merit, Best Senior Housing Community
2015
Cotton’s Point Senior Apartments
- NAHB – Silver Achievement Award, Best 50+ Affordable Rental Community
Oakland 34
- PCBC Gold Nugget – Award of Merit, Best Seniors Housing Community: Active Adult / Independent Living
Pacific Avenue Arts Colony
- PCBC Gold Nugget – Award of Merit, Best Affordable Housing Community: 30 to 60 DU/Acre
2014
Cotton’s Point Senior Apartments
- SAGE AWARDS – Project of the Year, 50+ Housing Council
- SCANPH Homes Within Reach – Senior Project of the Year
Long Beach Senior Arts Colony
- Los Angeles Business Journal – Multifamily Project of the Year
- San Fernando Valley Business Journal – Gold Award, Best Multifamily Project
- NAHB – Best 50+ Affordable Project
NoHo Senior Arts Colony
- AIA San Fernando Valley – Residential Design Award
- San Fernando Valley Business Journal – Silver Honoree, Best Mixed-Use Land
- NAHB – Best 50+ Market Rate Project
- NAHB – Best 50+ Overall Community
Tavarua Senior Apartments
- Ruby Award – Housing Project of the Year, Special Needs
Long Beach & 21st
- PCBC Gold Nugget – Award of Merit, “On The Boards”
Metro @ Hollywood
- PCBC Gold Nugget – Award of Merit, Best Senior Housing Community
2013
Long Beach Senior Arts Colony
- PCBC: Grand Award Honors – Best Seniors Housing Community
- Multi-Housing News Awards of Excellence, Gold Award
- Multi-Family Executive (MFE) Best New Development Senior Project of the Year
- American Institute of Architects Long Beach/South Bay Honor Award for Excellence in Design
- SAGE Project of the Year (Affordable, 55+)
- NAHB, Pillars of Industry, Best Affordable Multi-Family Community Finalist
NoHo Senior Arts Colony
- PCBC: Gold Nugget Merit Award – Best Senior Housing Community
Vermont Avenue Apartments
- PCBC: Grand Award Honors – Best Multi-Generation Housing Concept
- PCBC: Gold Nugget Merit Award – Affordable Project – 30 du/acre or more
- PCBC: Gold Nugget Merit Award – Affordable Project – Built or “On-the-Boards”
The Metro @ Hollywood Senior Apartments
- NAHB’s Best of 50+ Housing Council Gold Achievement Award – Best Affordable Rental Community “On the Boards”
2012
Affordable Living For The Aging Sheldon W. Andelson Award Honoree
- John M. Huskey
Figueroa Senior Apartments
- PCBC: Gold Nugget Merit Award – Best Senior Housing Community “On-the-Boards”
Long Beach Senior Arts Colony
- NAHB’s Best of 50+ Housing Council Gold Achievement Award – Best Affordable Rental “On the Boards”
2011
The Metro @ Hollywood Senior Apartments
- BIA Southern California 55+ Housing Council: SAGE Award – “On The Boards” Project of the Year
Adams & Central Mixed Use Development
- Los Angeles Business Council Architectural Award – Housing Mixed-Use Award – Winner
Long Beach & Anaheim
- BIA Southern California 50+ Housing Council: SAGE Award – Best “On-the-Boards” Project Of The Year
Long Beach and Burnett
- SCAG Compass Blueprint Awards – Nominee Recognition
- PCBC: Gold Nugget Merit Award – Affordable Project – 30 du/acre or more
- The Apartment Association (Greater Los Angeles) – Affordable Housing of the Year
Long Beach Senior Arts Colony
- PCBC: Gold Nugget Grand Award – Best “On-the-Boards” Multifamily Community
2010
Adams & Central Mixed Use Development
- NAHB 50+ Housing Council – Finalist of the Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Award – Best Affordable Apartment Community of the Year
- Westside Urban Forum (Los Angeles) – Westside Prize Design Award
- PCBC: Gold Nugget Merit Award – Best Mixed-Use Project
- PCBC: Gold Nugget Merit Award – Affordable Project – 30 du/acre or more
- Adams & Central Mixed Use Development
- Westside Urban Forum: 2010 Westside Prize – Urban Marketplace at the Center of Los Angeles
- PCBC: Gold Nugget Merit Award – Best Mixed Use Project –
- PCBC: Gold Nugget Merit Award – Best Affordable Project (30 DU/Acre or More)
Belmont Station
- PCBC: Gold Nugget Merit Award – Best Affordable Project (30 DU/Acre or More)
- PCBC: Gold Nugget Merit Award – Best Multi-Family Housing Project (Over 6 Stories)
Long Beach & Anaheim
- NAHB 50+ Housing Council – 2010 Pillars Builder and Firm Awards Finalist of the MultiFamily Pillars of the Industry Award – Best Affordable Apartment Community
Long Beach Senior Arts Colony
- 50+ Housing Council: SAGE Award – Best “On-the-Boards” Project of the Year
- NAHB 50+ Housing Council – 2010 Pillars Builder and Firm Awards Finalist of the Multi-Family Pillars of the Industry Award – Best Affordable Apartment Community
2009-2001
2009
Adams & Central Mixed Use Development
- PCBC Gold Nugget – Award of Merit, Outstanding On-The-Boards Apartment Project
NoHo Senior Arts Colony
- BIA Southern California 55+ Housing Council – SAGE Award, Best “On-the-Boards” Project Of The Year
- PCBC Gold Nugget – Award of Merit, Outstanding On-The-Boards Seniors Community
- BIA 50+ Housing Council Awards – Gold Achievement Award, Multifamily Housing: Overall Market Rate Rental Community On-The-Boards
2008
Meta Housing Corporation
- Senior Olympics – Engage Award Honoree
Garden Grove “The Grove” Senior Apartments
- BIA 50+Housing Council Awards – Gold Award Winner, Multifamily Housing: Overall Community
2007
Burbank Senior Artists Colony
- NAHB’s 50+ Housing Council Pillars of the Industry Awards – Best Clubhouse at a Multifamily Community
Cortina D’Arroyo
- NAHB’s Best of 50+ Housing Gold Achievement Award – Overall Community
- NAHB’s Best of 50+ Housing Gold Achievement Award – Common Area Interior Design
Dorado Senior Apartments
- NAHB 50+ Housing Council Gold Achievement Award – Project of the Year
- NAHB’s 50+ Housing Council Pillars of the Industry Awards – Most Creative Financing of an Affordable Apartment Community
- NAHB’s Best of 50+ Housing Silver Achievement Award – Overall Community
- NAHB’s Best of 50+ Housing Silver Achievement Award – Common Area Interior Design
Garden Grove “The Grove” Senior Apartments
- 50+Builder Magazine named “Project of the Year” – December 2007
- 50+ Housing Council Award – Certificate of Merit Finalist, Project of the Year
2006
Burbank Senior Artists Colony
- NAHB’s 50+ Housing Council Gold Award – Clubhouses: Small (Up to 6,000 sq. ft.)
- NAHB’s 50+ Housing Council Gold Award – Multifamily Housing: Overall Community, Rental Apartments
- NAHB’s 50+ Housing Council Silver Award – Active Adult Housing: Condominium Community (Any Size)
- National Endowment for the Arts, Creativity and Aging – Best Practices
2005
Burbank Senior Artists Colony
- BIA Southern California 55+ Housing Council – SAGE Awards, Project of the Year
The Jasmine at Founders Village
- NAHB’s 50+ Housing Council Silver Achievement Award – Best Rental Apartments
2004
The Jasmine at Founders Village
- BIA Southern California 55+ Housing Council – SAGE Awards, Certificate of Merit, Project of the Year
The Piedmont
- NAHB’s 50+ Housing Council Platinum Achievement Award – Active Adult Housing Overall Community: Small
- NAHB’s 50+ Housing Council Gold Achievement Award – Multifamily Housing Overall Community: Rental Apartments
- NAHB’s 50+ Housing Council – Juror’s Innovation Award
- San Fernando Valley Business Journal – Most Innovative Senior Community
2003
Burbank Senior Artists Colony
- NAHB’s 50+ Housing Council /NCOSH Gold Medal – Best of Senior’s Housing Design: On the Boards
The Piedmont
- PCBC Gold Nugget – Award of Merit, Best Apartment Project: 4 or More Stories
- PCBC Gold Nugget – Award of Merit, Best of Seniors Project: Active Adult
2002
Park Plaza
- NAHB’s 50+ Housing Council Gold Achievement Award – Best Seniors Housing, Most Outstanding Affordable Senior Apartment Project
2001
Park Plaza
- PCBC Gold Nugget – Award of Merit, Best Senior Project: Active Adult
- BIA Southern California 55+ Housing Council – SAGE Awards, Merit Award
Our Team
Mila Logangco Agarpao
Draw Specialist
Monica Anand
Associate Project Manager
Stephanie Berger
Senior Vice President, Accounting
Drina Brown
Asset Manager
Kasey Burke
President, Meta Housing Corporation
President & Principal, Meta Development, LLC
Rutzel “Tutie” Castillo
Executive Secretary
Jeannette Farias
Accounts Payable
Ross Ferrera
Vice President of Development & Director of Operations
Alexander Flores
Asset Manager
Alvaro Gonzalez
Senior Project Manager
John Huskey
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Natalie Ikhrata
Assistant Project Manager
Michelle Ito
Director of Development
Jacob Jeanfreau
Senior Accountant
Riley Jones
Associate Project Manager
Herbert Lara
Controller
Allison Levy
Senior Project Manager
Alex Liwanag
Office Manager
Christopher Maffris
Executive Vice President
Aaron Mandel
Executive Vice President
Melody Manhoff
Business Operations Analyst
Fatima Medina
Senior Accountant
Loren Messeri
Vice President &
Director of Development
Louie Perez
Vice President &
Director of Asset Management
Crystal Ramirez
Junior Accountant
Ernie Ramos
Asset Manager
Taylor Rasmussen
Vice President &
Director of Development
Veronica Rigobon
Associate Project Manager
Vivica Rush
Assistant Project Manager
George Russo
Executive Vice President &
Chief Financial Officer
Alejandro Sanchez
Assistant Project Manager
Caren Shields
Senior Accountant
Tim Soule
Vice President & Director of Permanent Supportive Housing
Robert Stubbs
Staff Accountant
Kat Wagenknecht
Database Administrator
Ivana Wang
Associate Project Manager
Shantel Younan
Director of Asset Management:
Project & Design
Monica Anand
Associate Project Manager
Since joining Meta Housing in 2022, Monica has supported the development of over 650 units of affordable housing, managing projects from predevelopment through lease-up. Her primary focus has been large family projects in Southern California. She’s also led the lease-up of a permanent supportive housing development, coordinating the needs of various public agencies, service providers, and property management.
Originally from the Midwest, Monica holds a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from Ohio University and a master’s degree in Community Planning from the University of Cincinnati. She further enhanced her expertise with a professional certificate in Rental Housing Development Finance from the National Development Council in 2021. Prior to joining the Meta development team, Monica was a senior analyst at HR&A Advisors where she focused on underwriting affordable housing projects in the DC area.
Stephanie Berger
Senior Vice President / Accounting
Stephanie is an accounting specialist with over 20 years of experience managing corporate finances. She has extensive expertise in all facets of accounting including finance, taxation, and low-income housing tax credits. As the Senior Vice President / Accounting, Stephanie oversees the entire accounting department, including audits, tax returns, construction draws and accounts payable, as well as general accounting for all of Meta Housing’s current operating properties.
Since joining Meta Housing in 2006, Stephanie has managed the firm’s bookkeeping, maintained its accounting system, and updated records of Meta Housing’s transactions and assets. She has also managed the company’s financial reporting, which includes monthly draw requests, quarterly financials, and annual audits and tax returns.
Prior to joining Meta Housing, Stephanie spent five years with Novogradac & Company LLP, a national public accounting and consulting firm, specializing in low-income housing tax credits with an emphasis in real estate partnership audit and taxation. Stephanie earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from the University of Georgia.
Drina Brown
Asset Manager
Drina joined Meta Housing in 2022 and oversees 24 assets that provide over 1,800 affordable housing units. With over 30 years of experience in property management for affordable and market rate properties, Drina is skilled in assessing asset needs, risks, and compliance. Her portfolio consists of both family and permanent supportive housing communities.
Drina holds certifications in Tax Credit Specialist, Certified Apartment Manager, Fair Housing, HUD Earned Income Verification and Occupancy.
Kasey Burke
President, Meta Housing Corporation
President & Principal, Meta Development, LLC
Kasey Burke has been with Meta Housing Corporation since January 2002 and has been President of the Company since 2014. As President of Meta Housing, Kasey guides the strategic direction and positioning of the company, spearheading its ongoing growth and portfolio management. Under his leadership the company has developed over 7,000 units in 82 communities throughout California. Kasey is extensively skilled in acquisition, entitlement processing, financing, design development, construction, lease-up and portfolio management. In addition, Kasey specializes in securing funds from federal, state and local agencies, with a focus on leveraging Federal and State Low Income Housing Tax Credits and Tax-Exempt Bonds.
In 2021 Kasey and John Huskey formed Meta Development, LLC to continue to build on the great work and legacy of Meta Housing Corporation. Since inception Meta Development has financed 11 projects with Federal and State Low Income Housing Tax Credits and Tax-Exempt Bonds that will deliver over 1,650 affordable units in California.
Kasey is a Board Member of the California Housing Consortium (CHC) and sits on the Executive Committee. He is also on the Board of the Los Angeles Business Council and is a Founding Board Member on the Affordable Housing Developers Council (AHDC) in Washington DC. Kasey holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration & real estate finance from the University of Southern California.
Rutzel “Tutie” Castillo
Executive Secretary
Rutzel “Tutie” Castillo is the longest-serving employee at Meta Housing with over two decades of administrative experience in the affordable housing industry. As Executive Secretary to the Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Financial Officer, Tutie utilizes multitasking, organizational, and time management expertise to support the executive team.
Tutie was one of just five employees at Meta Housing when she joined the firm. Since then, she has played an instrumental role in the firm’s growth and contributed to the success and culture that the award-winning affordable housing developer enjoys today. She previously assisted project managers in preparing funding applications, onboarding new team members, and being a liaison between the firm and hiring/departing employees.
Tutie holds a Bachelor of Science in Commerce majoring in Marketing from the University of Mindanao, Philippines. She is also an active notary.
Jeannette Farias
Accounts Payable
Jeannette is responsible for the financial, administrative, and clerical support of the company. Detailed-oriented and a multi-tasker, Jeannette receives, verifies, and processes timely payment on behalf of Meta Housing.
With over 11 years of experience in bookkeeping and administrative support, Jeannette has a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting.
Brian “Ross” Ferrera
Vice President of Development & Director of Operations
Brian “Ross” is a seasoned professional in the field of real estate development, currently serving as the Vice President of Development and Director of Operations at Meta Housing. Throughout his extensive career at Meta, Brian has showcased a remarkable proficiency in overseeing a diverse range of projects throughout California. His portfolio includes senior housing, permanent supportive housing, large family residences, garden walk-ups, and an impressive 6-story high-rise. To date, Brian has been responsible for the completion of more than 2,000 apartment units, representing $1 billion of investment in affordable housing.
As Vice President, Brian plays a pivotal role in implementing corporate objectives, hiring and training team members, and determining staff assignments. Recognizing the importance of data-driven decision-making, Brian spearheaded the creation of a comprehensive database to track key operational data and help Meta Housing manage its growing portfolio.
Brian holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. With a tenure spanning over 13 years, Brian has been an integral part of the company since January 2011.Brian “Ross” Ferrera
Alexander Flores
Asset Manager
Alexander joined Meta Housing in 2019 and predominantly manages the company’s permanent supportive housing assets. With over 14 years of experience, Alexander is responsible for ensuring Meta’s properties are financially sound and comply with contractual, regulatory, and statutory requirements. During his tenure, he has successfully leased several Meta Housing projects throughout the state of California.
Alexander graduated from George Mason University and pursued a master’s degree at PACE University. He participated in the AmeriCorps New York Program for two years working for several non-profits. Prior to joining Meta Housing, Alex managed assets for several prominent supportive housing nonprofits in New York City.
John Huskey
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
John is a pioneer in the affordable housing industry, with five decades of experience in the development of affordable and market-rate multifamily communities for seniors and families. In 1993, he founded Meta Housing Corporation and guided the vision of the company. Known as the first in the industry to develop arts-focused senior apartment communities that foster creativity and personal growth for residents, Meta Housing’s communities have garnered national awards for innovation and design, and now serve as a model for other developers.
In 2021, John and Kasey Burke formed Meta Development, LLC to continue to build on the great work and legacy of Meta Housing Corporation. Since inception Meta Development has financed 11 projects with Federal and State Low Income Housing Tax Credits and Tax-Exempt Bonds that will deliver over 1,650 affordable units in California.
Prior to forming Meta Housing, John was President and chief Executive Officer of Calmark Properties, where he successfully took the firm from a small development company to a market leader in less than five years.
John has been recognized by national commercial real estate magazine Commercial Property Executive as one of the “Most Influential People in Real Estate.” He has also been honored by the Building Industry Association Senior Housing Council and the Affordable Living For The Aging organization.
Alvaro Gonzalez
Senior Project Manager
Alvaro is deeply intrigued by innovative financing methods, constantly exploring avenues to bring new developments to fruition. He has successfully helped secure over $400 million in financing. This has resulted in the development of over 900 affordable housing units across California.
Originally from South Central Los Angeles, Alvaro holds a Master of Science in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University. Additionally, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a Bachelor of Arts in Chicana/o Studies from Loyola Marymount University. Prior to joining Meta Housing, Alvaro worked as a real estate and economic development consultant at HR&A Advisors.
Natalie Ikhrata
Assistant Project Manager
Natalie assists in the execution of all phases of the real estate development process including site acquisition, entitlements, financing, design, construction, and lease-up. She currently supports several project teams as needed to ensure the successful completion of over 591 affordable units in both Northern and Southern California.
Natalie previously worked for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) where she was involved in the development of the Housing Lab and LACMTA’s work on delivering affordable housing through Public Private partnerships across LA County. She holds a bachelor’s degree in public policy from the University of California, Riverside and a master’s degree in Urban Planning from the University of Southern California. During her time at USC, Natalie and one of her classmates Samantha Ellman started the Urban Planning podcast “Urban Planning is Not Boring”. They cover various topics related to housing, transportation, and climate change’s impact on the built environment.
Michelle Ito
Director of Development
Michelle manages the development of multiple projects in Southern California. During her tenure, she has successfully secured $600 million in financing, resulting in the development of over 1,200 affordable housing units. Her focus has been on the execution of complex financial transactions and the design and construction management of phased projects and projects with multiple buildings. In her role as Director of Development, Michelle assesses training needs, develops curriculum, and conducts training programs to implement best practices among the development team.
Originally from the Bay Area, Michelle graduated from Occidental College and participated in the Los Angeles Coro Fellowship Program in Public Affairs. She joined Meta Housing in 2018 as an Assistant Project Manager.
Jacob Jeanfreau
Senior Accountant
As a Senior Accountant, Jacob is responsible for preparing 20 annual audits for properties that are in construction and in operation. He also reviews over 45 tax returns on an annual basis and works closely with property management and external consultants on providing timely financial reports to lenders and investors.
Jacob earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and joined Meta Housing in 2018.
Riley Jones
Associate Project Manager
Riley joined Meta Housing in 2023 as an Associate Project Manager. He is involved in all phases of the development process, from site analysis to construction and project close-out.
Riley previously worked at Mercy Housing in the San Francisco office, overseeing the development of more than 300 units across the city. He got his start in affordable housing at CD-RG, consulting developers and public agencies. While at CD-RG, he aided clients in securing more than $1 billion from State of California funding programs.
Riley earned his bachelor’s degree in real estate development from the University of Southern California and holds a Master of Development Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.
Herbert Lara
Controller
Herbert joined Meta Housing in 2015 as a Staff Accountant and has since progressed to the role of Controller. He manages the annual accounting of 89 audits and 235 tax returns, while also providing essential support to the Senior Vice President/Accounting. Herbert plays a key role in final cost certifications and construction and permanent loan closings.
Herbert earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting from California State University, Los Angeles.
Allison Levy
Senior Project Manager
Since joining Meta Housing in 2021, Allison has managed the development of a wide range of projects including complex environmental mitigation; multiple local, county, and state financing partners; and oversight of over $185 million in new construction costs in three unique Los Angeles County jurisdictions. With over 8 years of development experience, Allison has worked on the entitlement, financing, and construction of over 4,000 affordable housing units.
Prior to working in affordable housing, Allison worked in government and community affairs for nonprofit and professional associations. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in American Culture Studies & History from Washington University in St. Louis and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Michigan.
Alex Liwanag
Office Manager
Alex is one of Meta Housing’s more recent additions, taking on the role of Office Manager in early 2023. From reorganizing the kitchen to planning staff quarterly events, he has focused on making the workspace functional and enjoyable for the whole team.
After graduating from University of California, Los Angeles in 2009, Alex decided to stay in Southern California and worked his way up in the importing industry, becoming an Operations Manager. Wanting to try something new, he shifted to Office Management in 2013 and has been in the field since.
Mila Logangco Agarpao
Draw Specialist
Mila or Miles oversees loan draw requests for all of Meta Housing’s projects in development. Miles works closely with various public lenders including HCD, LACDA, LAHD and other City funding departments. She also works with several private lenders and investors such as Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, Pacific Western Bank, and other financial institutions for predevelopment and construction loan draw requests. Last year, Miles successfully submitted 240 loan draw requests, funding 20 projects that produce over 2,000 affordable housing units.
Originally from Philippines, Miles graduated from Mapua University in Manila Philippines and migrated to US in 2004. Miles joined Meta Housing in 2006 as an Administrative Assistant. After a year, she moved to the Accounting Department to handle loan draws for all of Meta’s projects in construction.
Christopher Maffris
Executive Vice President
As Executive Vice President and co-head of Meta Housing’s development team, Chris provides vision and strategy for the organization’s initiatives and oversees the team through all aspects of the real estate development process, including acquisition, entitlement, financing, and construction.
Since joining Meta in 2003, Chris has supervised the completion of more than 6,000 apartment units, representing nearly $3 billion of investment in new housing throughout California, all while emphasizing a socially responsible approach to community development. Under his leadership, Meta has been nationally recognized for innovation in sustainability, design, and finance, receiving numerous AIA Honor Awards and Urban Land Institute acknowledgments.
As a recognized expert in affordable housing finance, he has been regularly invited to speak at industry forums, including California Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies, Novogradac, SCANPH, ULI, and California Redevelopment Association conferences.
Chris earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics with a Specialization in Computing from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Aaron Mandel
Executive Vice President
Aaron is a specialist in real estate development with extensive experience in a wide variety of development and redevelopment types, including large infill, mixed-use, suburban and transit-oriented developments as well as major rehabilitation projects. A finance and development expert, Aaron is also deeply experienced in leveraging tax credits and other public subsidies, arranging complex layered financing, land acquisition and business development; securing of City entitlements; structuring and securing project financing; design development; construction monitoring and lease-up activities.
As Executive Vice President and co-head of Meta’s development team, Aaron co-manages all of Meta’s development activities and teams. In his role, he has supervised the financing and development of more than 6,000 apartment units to date.
Aaron earned a degree in International Relations with a minor in Economics from Pomona College in Claremont, California, where he played on the Varsity soccer team.
Melody Manhoff
Business Operations Analyst
Melody joined Meta Housing in 2023 and primarily works on the development and testing of key applications within Meta’s project database to transition information quickly and seamlessly between departments.
Melody graduated from UC Santa Cruz and earned her master’s degree in Communication Management from the University of Southern California. She spent the first decade plus of her career in sports marketing, working for the LA Kings, Chivas USA, Major League Soccer and Major League Baseball. Prior to joining Meta Housing, she was the Director of Project Management for a startup advertising agency specializing in B2B marketing.
Fatima Medina
Senior Accountant
Fatima oversees the annual completion of audits for 18 Meta Housing properties and over 45 tax returns for the company’s related partnerships, limited liability companies and corporations. She assists with preparing final cost certifications for recently completed projects and responding to financial requests from tax credit investors and lenders.
Fatima joined Meta Housing in 2015 and graduated from University of California, San Diego.
Loren Messeri
Vice President & Director of Development
Loren joined Meta Housing as a Project Manager in 2017. As a Vice President, Loren manages and mentors the development team throughout the acquisition, development, and construction activities. With a decade of real estate and affordable housing experience, she leverages her expertise in executing complex financing and land use transactions to successfully finance and develop unique real estate projects. During her tenure at Meta Housing, Loren is responsible for executing on the development of over 2,500 units with a valuation of over $1.5 billion.
Loren earned her Bachelor of Science in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University and her Master of Public Administration from University of Southern California.
Louie Perez
Vice President & Director of Asset Management
Louie Perez is a 37-year real estate veteran. As the Vice President and Director of Asset Management, he oversees Meta Housing’s operational portfolio including property management, risk management, compliance, investor and lender relations, leasing of commercial properties and aspects of durability design and coordination with Meta’s development team. Louie is an expert in financial accounting and reporting, acquisition integration, commercial management and application implementation.
Prior to joining Meta Housing in 2011, he served as a manager with Realfoundations Consulting, and Ernest & Young, LLP. Louie earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Accounting from the California State University, Los Angeles.
Crystal Ramirez
Junior Accountant
As a Junior Accountant, Crystal assists in lender draw requests for the company’s various predevelopment projects as well as in opening bank accounts, reconciling all accounts, updating spent to date reports, and processing project deposits. She joined Meta Housing in 2018 as an Accounts Payable Clerk and previously handled invoicing for all predevelopment projects as well as Meta Housing expenses.
As a volunteer and advocate in her daily life for affordable living, she feels greatly honored to contribute on a grander scale, by helping on the development side of affordable housing.
Ernie Ramos
Asset Manager
Ernie joined Meta Housing in 2017 and oversees the management of over 2,000 affordable housing units in operation. His responsibilities include ensuring physical, regulatory, and tax credit project compliance. He is also tasked with maintaining strong relationships with various public agencies, lenders, and investors.
Ernie earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, majoring in business economics. He has over 30 years of experience in affordable housing compliance.
Taylor Rasmussen
Vice President & Director of Development
As Vice President of Meta Housing, Taylor implements the strategic growth plan of Meta Housing by overseeing development, construction, and acquisition activities. Recently, Taylor has focused on structuring and closing some of Meta’s largest development opportunities to date. With a keen interest in streamlining development processes and assembling cost efficient debt and equity, Taylor has closed $450 million in financing over the last 24 months. To ensure project teams are aligned with corporate objectives, Taylor hires and mentors Meta development team members, determines staffing assignments for individual projects, and facilities learning opportunities for employees to strengthen their skillsets.
Originally from Agoura Hills, Taylor graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2013 and joined Meta Housing in 2015.
Veronica Rigobon
Associate Project Manager
Veronica joined Meta Housing in 2022 and supports the development of multiple projects delivering over 900 units of affordable housing. Her portfolio has been focused on large family and permanent supportive housing. She is particularly interested in leveraging local dollars to create financially feasible capital stacks.
Originally from Massachusetts, Veronica graduated from Brown University and participated in Southern California’s Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs. In her free time, Veronica enjoys nothing more than cooking with friends, buying flowers, and reading outside.
Vivica Rush
Assistant Project Manager
Vivica joined Meta Housing in 2022 and supports the development team on executing design, financing, construction, and lease-up milestones for multiple affordable housing projects, producing over 360 units across Southern and Northern California.
Originally from Los Angeles, Vivica graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles and holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and African-American Studies. Prior to joining Meta Housing, she was a Fellow in Public Affairs with Coro Southern California, where she gained direct exposure to a cross-section of sectors and institutions in the region. Vivica deeply values working in tandem with local, state, and federal government entities to deliver high-quality affordable housing to local communities. Outside of work, Vivica enjoys reading economic-focused news, practicing yoga, and rooting for the Dallas Cowboys.
George Russo
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
George has been active in real estate finance, accounting, and taxation for more than 40 years. As Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer, he spearheads all aspects of financial, tax and asset management reporting for Meta Housing Corporation, Meta Development, LLC, and its family of affiliated partnerships, limited liability companies and corporations. In addition, he oversees relationships with lenders, other financial partners, and stakeholders.
George has worked at Meta Housing since 2003. Prior to joining Meta Housing, he served as Controller of StorageWorld, LP. He also served as Controller of Kaufman & Broad Multi-Housing Group and Division Controller of Public Storage Inc.
George earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Accounting from California State University, Los Angeles, and holds an NASD Series 27 Registration.
Alejandro Sanchez
Assistant Project Manager
Alejandro joined Meta Housing in March of 2023 as an Assistant Project Manager. He supports the development team in the construction, lease-up, and conversion of permanent financing for multiple projects in both Los Angeles and Ventura County. Originally from Los Angeles, Alejandro graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara while working as an affordable housing intern under the California Coalition of Rural Housing.
Caren Shields
Senior Accountant
Caren is a highly skilled Senior Accountant with over 10 years of experience, including 6 years of expertise in affordable housing development. Her responsibilities include overseeing the annual completion of audits for 21 Meta Housing properties and over 50 tax returns for the company’s related partnerships, limited liability companies and corporations. As a meticulous financial professional, she possesses a keen eye for detail and plays a crucial role in managing finances, optimizing resources, and supporting projects that provide affordable housing for communities in need.
Caren is passionate about creating better living opportunities and is driven by her values and the belief that everyone deserves access to safe and affordable housing.
Tim Soule
Vice President & Director of Permanent Supportive Housing
As Vice President, Tim executes corporate strategy. He selects, mentors, and manages internal and external development teams that focus on acquiring, entitling, financing, constructing, and delivering urban infill, transit-oriented development, family, senior, and Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) communities. In his capacity as Director of PSH, Tim works with Meta’s Asset Management team to coordinate public supportive, service, and subsidy partnerships necessary for successful PSH communities.
While at Meta, Tim has been involved in structuring over $1.15 billion in financing resulting in the development of over 2,250 apartment units.
Tim received an M.B.A. with a concentration in Real Estate and Entrepreneurial Finance from The Anderson School at the University of California, Los Angeles. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Managerial Economics from the University of California, Davis. He serves on the Affordable Housing Advisory Council at UCLA’s Ziman Center for Real Estate and is an instructor for the Ziman Center’s Howard and Irene Levine Affordable Housing Development Program.
Robert Stubbs
Staff Accountant
Robert is responsible for 18 annual audits for properties that are under construction and in operation. He reviews numerous tax returns annually for partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations. Robert also prepares final cost certifications for recently completed projects and responds to financial requests from tax credit investors and lenders.
Robert brings with him five years of accounting experience both in the public and private sector. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from University of East London, United Kingdom. Robert enjoys playing pickup Basketball in his spare time.
Kat Wagenknecht
Database Administrator
Kat administers Meta Housing’s internal database, helping the company manage its growing portfolio of over 100 projects. Primarily using the Quickbase database platform, Kat has worked across Meta’s development, asset management, accounting, and administrative teams to ensure project data is validated, that various aspects of each project are tracked in one location and are cloud-accessible, and data can be shared through other platforms Meta Housing utilizes such as Yardi and Dropbox. In addition, she has built new systems to help Meta Housing manage internal processes such as invoicing and reporting.
Kat has a Bachelor’s of Science in Earth Science from the University of Massachusetts, and has had work experience in geology, construction & its environmental impacts, catastrophe management and project management/database administration for construction. She has a personal interest in supporting affordable & equitable housing. She lives in southern California and has two cats.
Ivana Wang
Associate Project Manager
Ivana joined Meta Housing in 2021 and has worked on a wide variety of projects that include diverse tax credit financing, complex environmental mitigation, and partnership with master developers and local nonprofit organizations. She has successfully helped deliver 645 units of affordable housing throughout California.
Ivana has over 10 years of research, policy analysis, and consulting experience across various industry sectors. Prior to joining Meta Housing, she served as a Senior Policy Analyst at the Milken Institute’s Center for Regional Economics, focusing on inclusive economic growth through investments in housing, workforce development, small business, and infrastructure. She holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Southern California.
Shantel Younan
Senior Asset Manager
Shantel manages a portfolio of 32 assets that provide over 2,500 affordable housing units. She is responsible for assessing asset status, needs, risks, and compliance with regulatory and statutory requirements. Shantel is an expert at maintaining close relationships and open communication with property management, lenders, and investors. She also supports Meta Housing’s leasing and management of commercial properties.
Shantel graduated from California State University, Northridge as a Business Major with Emphasis in Business Law, Finance and Real Estate. She started on the development side by managing the construction of multi-million-dollar buildings. Later learning the property management side of the business, Shantel transitioned into asset management and joined Meta Housing in 2014.