GLEH Housing for Gay and Lesbian Seniors

Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing Announces New Executive Director

Los Angeles, CA-(Business Wire) - Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Los Angeles-based Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing (GLEH), the nation's first nonprofit, affordable, multicultural housing development that will include a community service center supporting the needs of GLBT elders, for both residents and non-residents, has announced the hiring of Mark Supper as its new executive director. Supper comes to GLEH directly from Los Angeles-based Enterprise Community Partners where he served as director of development for its western region. Prior to that he served as interim chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles where he also held the title of vice president of resource development and communications.

"We are very excited to have Mark join our agency and take the helm at this critical juncture in our development," said GLEH Board of Directors Chair Carolyn Dye. "As we prepare to open the doors of our facility in Hollywood in early 2007 and move forward with our plans to assist local GLBT elders, we will rely on his vast experience, drive and passion for our mission."

Supper replaces former GLEH Executive Director, Brian Neimark, who was with the organization from its inception.

The $20.3M, 103-unit building located on the corner of Selma and Ivar Avenues in Hollywood, is designed to house individuals of mixed incomes under an affordable housing model. 30 of the units are set aside for people who are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless, or who are living with HIV/AIDS. The building broke ground in October, 2005, and is on schedule to open in the winter of 2007

"It is extremely fulfilling, both professionally and personally, to be given the opportunity of being involved with an unprecedented, historical enterprise like this one," said Mark Supper. "It is not lost on me that all eyes are on us as we make the very best use of this unique opportunity on behalf of a vastly underserved segment of the GLBT community. I am grateful to the GLEH board of directors for allowing me the chance to lead the organization through the next phase of its expansion."

An estimated 30,000 to 75,000 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender older adults reside in the greater Los Angeles area (based on a range of 3 to 8 percent of the total aging population).

Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing

Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building and operating high-quality affordable, non-discriminatory residential communities with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) older-adult recreational and social service centers. Our goal is to provide a safe, nurturing environment that supports the well-being of GLBT older adults.
In October, 2005, Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing began building the nation's first nonprofit, affordable, multicultural housing development that includes a community service center supporting the needs of GLBT elders, both residents and non-residents. The $20.3M facility will create 103 affordable apartments and will be located in the heart of Hollywood's most vibrant redevelopment district. The building's GLBT Older Adult Community Center will serve residents of the building and the entire community with social services, classes and cultural events. This project not only benefits the Greater Los Angeles community, but will be recognized as a model of GLBT elder care, and as proof that the GLBT community protects and cares for its own - young and old alike.

Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing is an equal housing opportunity provider and supports the letter and intent of all local, state and federal fair housing laws and will offer its housing on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to color, race, religion, sex, marital status, mental or physical disability, age, familial status, sexual orientation or national origin. Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing is committed to building social services centers for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community to operate in buildings it develops. Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing works with public agencies to develop housing opportunities for persons living with HIV/AIDS and certain other "at risk" populations.