Housing advocate Gracia honored

Congratulations to Nacho Gracia, an advocate of the city's Northtown community, for receiving the lifetime achievement award at the Southern California Association of Non-profit Housing's annual conference.

For his work on affordable housing and community development, Gracia received the "Houser's Hero" award during the 2011 Homes Within Reach Awards luncheon.

Gracia, a former executive director of the Northtown Housing Development Corporation and a current board member, was instrumental in bringing basic infrastructure to Northtown. Along with other residents, Gracia convinced city and county leaders that Northtown needed sidewalks, curbs, gutters and lights. Gracia also led efforts to bring Old Town Park and the nearby Northtown Community Center to the Feron Boulevard neighborhood. As NHDC's first executive director, Gracia led the organization through many years of success, bringing affordable housing to seniors and families throughout the region.