By Jorge Casuso

August 11, 2010 – Joan Ling, who helped turn Community Corporation of Santa Monica into the city’s largest affordable housing provider, will be stepping down after 20 years as executive director next spring.

Ling took over Community Corp in 1991 when it managed 300 units and will leave behind an organization that owns and manages some 1,500 affordable units in the beachside city of 85,000.

“I’ve been here 20 years,” said Ling. “It’s time I step aside for new blood. We have incredible, capable people. This is the right time for them to take over.”

With the strong support of housing activists, as well as money and commitment from the City, Ling and her organization have weathered both booming real estate markets and severe economic slumps.

Community Corp managed to pick up properties in pricy Santa Monica, expanding over the past decade from properties primarily in the Pico Neighborhood, the city’s poorest area, to sites in other parts of the 8.3 square-mile city, including pricy Ocean Park.

To succeed in the tough affordable housing market, Ling said, you need both community support and a City government that has capital funding available and is committed.

“The reason why Community Corp is successful is entirely due to the incredible amount of talent, support, commitment and hard work that the affordable housing supporters have provided to Community Corp and the City,” Ling said.

“I feel very lucky to be working here for the last 20 years,” she said. “It’s an incredible city to be working in.”

Ling said she plans to take it easy when she leaves her post, which she hopes to do on March 30. She’ll take time off to tour the national parks then teach at UCLA.

“I love national parks and want to spend time in the wilderness camping, hiking and back packing all over the country,” Ling said.

Her departure, Ling said, still seems “so far away.”

“I don’t want to take on more work,” she said. “Teaching is fun for me.”

The Community Corp Board has hired a consultant to help find a replacement, Ling said.

"I've been here 20 years," said Ling. "It's time I step aside for new blood. We have incredible, capable people. This is the right time for them to take over."
    Joan Ling