[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 1554-1555]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 A TRIBUTE TO RETIREMENT HOUSING FOUNDATION ON THE OCCASION OF THE NON-
    PROFIT ORGANIZATION'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF PROVIDING QUALITY AND 
 AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO THE COUNTRY'S ELDERLY, LOW INCOME FAMILIES, AND 
                        PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 10, 2011

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Retirement 
Housing Foundation--also known as RHF--on the occasion of the 
organization's 50th anniversary of providing quality and affordable 
housing and services to more than 17,000 seniors, low-income families 
and people with disabilities.
  With a strong mission to provide dignified, affordable housing and 
services for the elderly, RHF is one of the nation's largest non-profit 
sponsors and managers of housing and services for older adults, persons 
with disabilities, and low-income families.
  RHF was formed in 1961 by three visionaries: two California United 
Church of Christ clergymen and one layman. The organization, which 
began with a $7,000 grant, today operates 161 communities in 25 states 
throughout the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 
the U.S. Virgin Islands. While these communities are comprised of 
mostly apartments, RHF also provides senior housing with assisted 
living units and skilled nursing beds.
  A total of four RHF communities are located within the 34th District. 
The Rio Vista Village for low-income families is located in Boyle 
Heights. RHF operates three communities for low-income seniors: Colonia 
Jess Lopez in Boyle Heights, which is named after a strong community 
activist and outspoken advocate of older Americans whom I was proud to 
call a friend; Sangnok Villa in Westlake; and Angelus Plaza in Downtown 
Los Angeles.
  During my years in Congress, I have had the privilege of working 
closely with RHF as a member of the Advisory Council for Angelus 
Plaza--the nation's largest affordable housing community for seniors in 
the country. Angelus Plaza is the only facility of its kind in the 
country. Covering two city blocks and two postal zip codes, it has 
nearly 1,100 apartments. Angelus Plaza is home to 1,300 independent 
seniors whose average age is 82.
  RHF prides itself on its culturally diverse programs and services 
offered to Angelus Plaza's residents who speak more than 10 different 
languages. Angelus Plaza's six-story senior center offers more than 100 
monthly classes and activities for seniors throughout the Greater Los 
Angeles Area. The complex also houses the Tom Bradley Senior Health 
Center (operated by Good Samaritan Hospital) as well as a continuation 
high school operated by the L.A. Unified School District and office 
space for more than 10 non-profit organizations and senior groups.
  In addition, RHF continues to partner with local organizations and 
government agencies to secure support and funding for affordable

[[Page 1555]]

housing throughout the country. RHF preserves properties within the HUD 
inventory by acquiring those properties in danger of becoming market 
rate.
  RHF also reinvests in its own properties to ensure that they remain 
viable affordable communities for decades to come. In the last five 
years, RHF invested more than $95.9 million to rehabilitate and update 
existing communities.
  RHF takes its role as an affordable housing advocate seriously. As a 
respected national voice in this area, Dr. Laverne Joseph, RHF's 
President and CEO, has testified before various Congressional 
Committees about a variety of affordable housing-related issues.
  Mr. Speaker, as the organization prepares to mark its 50-year 
milestone at a special February 18 anniversary celebration at their 
annual conference in Downtown Long Beach, I ask my colleagues to please 
join the Los Angeles County community and me in recognizing the 
Retirement Housing Foundation for its steadfast commitment to providing 
quality, safe and affordable housing and services for America's 
seniors, low-income families and persons with disabilities.
  I also commend RHF's Board Chair, Don King, its National Board of 
Directors, its President & CEO, Dr. Joseph and the 2,600 dedicated 
staff throughout the country who make this organization the safety net 
that it is today for thousands of America's most vulnerable residents 
and I wish them many more years of continued success.

                          ____________________