HOUSTON – (Realty News Report) – New Hope Housing, the state’s leader in providing permanent, affordable, supportive housing for those who have experienced homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless, has named a new chairman to its board of directors. Sanford Criner,vice chairmanof Global Corporate Services, CBRE, has been namedexecutive chairmanafter serving13 years on New Hope’s board.
A native Houstonian, Criner has more than 40 years of experience in commercial real estate brokerage, development and consulting. He has directed projects as diverse as the development of DHL’s national headquarters in San Francisco, and the disposition of 500 properties in 41 countries for Halliburton. He was the founding president of both Scenic Houston and Scenic Texas, as well as former chair of the Hermann Park Conservancy.
“Sanford’s extensive experience in commercial development and real estate brokerage are a perfect match for New Hope Housing,” said Joy Horak-Brown, president and CEO. “With his executive background and his years of effective service on our board, Sanford can lead New Hope strategically toward solving the problem of housing affordability for families and individuals in our city.”
Criner succeeds outgoing board chairman Michael (Mack) Fowler, who led the board for 18 of the organization’s 25 years amid considerable growth. New Hope currently has nearly 1,200 apartment units at eight Houston properties, with 270 units across two complexes under development.
“At New Hope Housing, we hold to the old-fashioned concept that quality architecture matters, that it can be ennobling, and that it can affect people’s lives – regardless of income – for the better,” said Criner. “It brings humanity to a group of people who have seen very little of it. I look forward to leading such a bright, enterprising group as New Hope Housing.”
