The California Housing Consortium announced today that Marina Espinoza has joined the organization as its next Policy Director.

Espinoza previously served as legislative director in the Office of Assembly Majority Leader Emerita Eloise Gómez Reyes and as a senior legislative analyst for the California State Association of Counties (CSAC). She started her policy work as a legislative staffer to former Assembly Speaker pro Tempore Kevin Mullin. Espinoza also spent several years as a research analyst for LeSar Development Consultants, a San Diego-based consulting firm focused on developing solutions to the housing and homelessness crises.

Espinoza will take on the role previously occupied by Marina Wiant, who now serves as Executive Director of the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee (TCAC) and California Debt Allocation Committee (CDLAC). Espinoza’s first day was Wednesday, June 19.

“On behalf of affordable housing providers across the state, we could not be more pleased to welcome to our team a policy leader who understands the complexity of building affordable housing in California — and who shares our commitment to getting more affordable homes built for struggling Californians who need them. Marina’s years of legislative experience in Sacramento and deep expertise in housing, land use, and the state budget will serve CHC members well. We are looking forward to our work together, as CHC continues to push for new ways to expand the production and preservation of safe, affordable homes in every community.”

-Ray Pearl, CHC Executive Director