CalHFA board welcomes incoming executive director, celebrates national awards and updates Dream for All and mortgage-relief programs
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Summary
At its Oct. 16 meeting the California Housing Finance Agency board welcomed incoming Executive Director Tony Sertich, thanked interim executive director Rebecca Franklin, announced three NCSHA awards and provided updates on the Dream for All homebuyer program and the agency's mortgage-relief fund.
The California Housing Finance Agency board on Oct. 16 opened its meeting with a slate of agency updates, including the announcement that Tony Sertich will be sworn in next week as CalHFA’s executive director and recognition of Deputy Director Rebecca Franklin for her service as interim executive director.
Chair Lourdes Cervantes welcomed Sertich and said he will be sworn in by Secretary Moss “a week from tomorrow.” Rebecca Franklin, who has served as interim executive director, received board thanks for leading the agency through a transitional period and will return to her role as chief deputy when the new executive director takes office.
Franklin briefed the board on recent recognitions and programs. She said CalHFA received three program awards for excellence from the National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA): the Dream for All portal in a technology category; the agency’s long-term financial strategy in a management and financing category; and an award for revamped financial transparency and risk oversight in internal operations. Franklin said it was the first time CalHFA had won three NCSHA awards since 1998.
Franklin also updated the board on the state-funded Dream for All homebuyer assistance program. She said additional funds were included in the most recent state budget, staff are working through remaining waitlisted applicants from earlier application cycles, and the agency expects a new preregistration process next year after the existing waitlist has been exhausted. Franklin asked lenders and prospective homebuyers to consult CalHFA’s website and sign up for agency e-news announcements for details on the preregistration timeline.
On disaster relief, Franklin described CalHFA’s mortgage-relief program (referred to in staff discussion as CalHFA’s mortgage relief fund), which she said has provided mortgage relief to nearly 400 homeowners whose homes were destroyed or severely damaged in recent disasters. Franklin said staff are reviewing outcome data and feedback on program criteria and may recommend expanding eligibility in the future if analysis supports it.
Board members noted the agency’s strong presence at recent conferences and praised staff for outreach and partnership work, including tribal consultation efforts and engagement at the National Council of State Housing Agencies conference and other regional events.
Franklin closed her update by thanking the board for its support while she served as interim executive director and said she looks forward to working with the incoming executive director.
