Our Team
JEFF HEAD
In his role as Vice President of Development for Habitat Affordable Group, Jeff Head manages the financing and development for our affordable housing portfolio. Between 1998 and 2013, while leading Habitat’s court-appointed receivership of the Chicago Housing Authority, he was part of the leadership team that managed redevelopment of some of the largest public housing sites in the country, including Cabrini Green, the Henry Horner Homes and the ABLA Homes developments.
Over his 20 years with Habitat, Jeff worked with agencies such as the Chicago Housing Authority, Illinois Housing Development Authority, City of Chicago, US Department of Housing and Urban Development, he has been involved in transactions that have invested more than $1 billion in Chicago neighborhoods housing developments.
Prior to joining Habitat, Jeff worked on a variety of urban development programs as an Assistant to Mayor Richard M. Daley, at the City of Chicago. He holds an MUPP, from the University of Illinois Chicago’s College of Urban Planning and Policy.
JEFF HEAD
In his role as Vice President of Development for Habitat Affordable Group, Jeff Head manages the financing and development for our affordable housing portfolio. Between 1998 and 2013, while leading Habitat’s court-appointed receivership of the Chicago Housing Authority, he was part of the leadership team that managed redevelopment of some of the largest public housing sites in the country, including Cabrini Green, the Henry Horner Homes and the ABLA Homes developments.
Over his 20 years with Habitat, Jeff worked with agencies such as the Chicago Housing Authority, Illinois Housing Development Authority, City of Chicago, US Department of Housing and Urban Development, he has been involved in transactions that have invested more than $1 billion in Chicago neighborhoods housing developments.
Prior to joining Habitat, Jeff worked on a variety of urban development programs as an Assistant to Mayor Richard M. Daley, at the City of Chicago. He holds an MUPP, from the University of Illinois Chicago’s College of Urban Planning and Policy.
JEFF HEAD
In his role as Vice President of Development for Habitat Affordable Group, Jeff Head manages the financing and development for our affordable housing portfolio. Between 1998 and 2013, while leading Habitat’s court-appointed receivership of the Chicago Housing Authority, he was part of the leadership team that managed redevelopment of some of the largest public housing sites in the country, including Cabrini Green, the Henry Horner Homes and the ABLA Homes developments.
ANGELA BROOKS
Angela D. Brooks, FAICP, serves as the Chief Housing and Urban Development Officer for the City of Philadelphia. Formerly, she served as the Director of the Illinois office of the Corporation for Supportive Housing and is the Immediate Past national president of the American Planning Association. With over two and a half decades of experience in urban planning, affordable housing, and community development, Brooks has established herself as a leading voice in housing policy and zoning reform.
In her previous role at the Corporation for Supportive Housing, Brooks oversaw training, lending, technical assistance, and systems change work throughout Illinois, prior to that she spent 10 years with the Chicago Housing Authority where she worked on the largest redevelopment of public housing in the United States. As the Chief Housing and Urban Development Officer for Philadelphia, she leverages her extensive experience to address the city's housing challenges and urban development needs.
Brooks previously served on influential boards and commissions, including the Chicago Board of Zoning Appeals, the Illinois Affordable Housing Advisory Commission, City of Seattle Planning Commission and King County Washington Boundary Review Board. She also served as the co-chair of the national Housing Supply Accelerator, working with communities nationwide to address housing needs. Her expertise is in housing policy and zoning reform.
A native of Seattle, Brooks holds a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies from Jackson State University and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of New Orleans. She has dedicated her career to ensuring every human has a safe, decent, affordable place to not only call home, but to thrive. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Brooks is a kidney donor and passionate advocate working to increase minority organ donors.
ANGELA BROOKS
Angela D. Brooks, FAICP, serves as the Chief Housing and Urban Development Officer for the City of Philadelphia. Formerly, she served as the Director of the Illinois office of the Corporation for Supportive Housing and is the Immediate Past national president of the American Planning Association. With over two and a half decades of experience in urban planning, affordable housing, and community development, Brooks has established herself as a leading voice in housing policy and zoning reform.
In her previous role at the Corporation for Supportive Housing, Brooks oversaw training, lending, technical assistance, and systems change work throughout Illinois, prior to that she spent 10 years with the Chicago Housing Authority where she worked on the largest redevelopment of public housing in the United States. As the Chief Housing and Urban Development Officer for Philadelphia, she leverages her extensive experience to address the city's housing challenges and urban development needs.
Brooks previously served on influential boards and commissions, including the Chicago Board of Zoning Appeals, the Illinois Affordable Housing Advisory Commission, City of Seattle Planning Commission and King County Washington Boundary Review Board. She also served as the co-chair of the national Housing Supply Accelerator, working with communities nationwide to address housing needs. Her expertise is in housing policy and zoning reform.
A native of Seattle, Brooks holds a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies from Jackson State University and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of New Orleans. She has dedicated her career to ensuring every human has a safe, decent, affordable place to not only call home, but to thrive. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Brooks is a kidney donor and passionate advocate working to increase minority organ donors.
ANGELA BROOKS
Angela D. Brooks, FAICP, serves as the Chief Housing and Urban Development Officer for the City of Philadelphia. Formerly, she served as the Director of the Illinois office of the Corporation for Supportive Housing and is the Immediate Past national president of the American Planning Association. With over two and a half decades of experience in urban planning, affordable housing, and community development, Brooks has established herself as a leading voice in housing policy and zoning reform.
CRISTINA VERA
Cristina Vera serves as Executive Director of Generations Housing Initiatives (GHI), where she leads resident services initiatives and affordable housing development partnerships across communities managed by The Habitat Company. She has over 20 years of experience in human capital programming, with expertise in program development, case management, youth, senior, and workforce development, community partnerships, and grant administration.
Throughout her career, Cristina has led and managed a range of human capital and community development initiatives, including the Chicago Housing Authority’s FamilyWorks, Family Self-Sufficiency, and Summer Youth Employment programs; the City of Chicago’s Community Services Block Grant workforce development services; the U.S. Department of Labor’s Young Parents Demonstration Program; the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Multifamily Housing Service Coordinator program; and human capital initiatives supported through the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative.
Cristina is committed to creating opportunities that strengthen residents, families, and communities through strategic partnerships and impactful programs. She holds a master’s degree in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois Chicago.
CRISTINA VERA
Cristina Vera serves as Executive Director of Generations Housing Initiatives (GHI), where she leads resident services initiatives and affordable housing development partnerships across communities managed by The Habitat Company. She has over 20 years of experience in human capital programming, with expertise in program development, case management, youth, senior, and workforce development, community partnerships, and grant administration.
Throughout her career, Cristina has led and managed a range of human capital and community development initiatives, including the Chicago Housing Authority’s FamilyWorks, Family Self-Sufficiency, and Summer Youth Employment programs; the City of Chicago’s Community Services Block Grant workforce development services; the U.S. Department of Labor’s Young Parents Demonstration Program; the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Multifamily Housing Service Coordinator program; and human capital initiatives supported through the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative.
Cristina is committed to creating opportunities that strengthen residents, families, and communities through strategic partnerships and impactful programs. She holds a master’s degree in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois Chicago.
CRISTINA VERA
Cristina Vera serves as Executive Director of Generations Housing Initiatives (GHI), where she leads resident services initiatives and affordable housing development partnerships across communities managed by The Habitat Company. She has over 20 years of experience in human capital programming, with expertise in program development, case management, youth, senior, and workforce development, community partnerships, and grant administration.
... Read moreMICHAEL GOLDBERG
Michael Goldberg has over 30 years of experience designing and implementing effective community development strategies. He joined IFF, a Chicago-based Community Development Financial Institution serving the Midwest, in March of 2021 to lead IFF’s real estate consulting practice. The Real Estate Solutions team consists of 25+ professionals in four states that provide their IFF colleagues and non-profit clients with expert advice and comprehensive services to address their real estate and facility needs.
Before joining IFF, Michael served as the Executive Director and Director of Real Estate Development of Heartland Housing, a Chicago-based non-profit developer that created and managed affordable housing throughout the Midwest. He also previously served as a senior planner with SmithGroupJJR, as well as staff planner for the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development.
Michael received a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition to serving on the GHI Board, he also co-chairs the Finance Committee of the Financing for Reentry working group for the Illinois Justice Council.
MICHAEL GOLDBERG
Michael Goldberg has over 30 years of experience designing and implementing effective community development strategies. He joined IFF, a Chicago-based Community Development Financial Institution serving the Midwest, in March of 2021 to lead IFF’s real estate consulting practice. The Real Estate Solutions team consists of 25+ professionals in four states that provide their IFF colleagues and non-profit clients with expert advice and comprehensive services to address their real estate and facility needs.
Before joining IFF, Michael served as the Executive Director and Director of Real Estate Development of Heartland Housing, a Chicago-based non-profit developer that created and managed affordable housing throughout the Midwest. He also previously served as a senior planner with SmithGroupJJR, as well as staff planner for the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development.
Michael received a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition to serving on the GHI Board, he also co-chairs the Finance Committee of the Financing for Reentry working group for the Illinois Justice Council.
MICHAEL GOLDBERG
Michael Goldberg has over 30 years of experience designing and implementing effective community development strategies. He joined IFF, a Chicago-based Community Development Financial Institution serving the Midwest, in March of 2021 to lead IFF’s real estate consulting practice. The Real Estate Solutions team consists of 25+ professionals in four states that provide their IFF colleagues and non-profit clients with expert advice and comprehensive services to address their real estate and facility needs.
BRYANT PAYNE
Bryant Payne is a hands-on communications professional with extensive public relations and strategic management experience in government, academic, and corporate environments. He currently serves as the Director of Communications for the Public Building Commission of Chicago, where he acts as spokesperson and strategically guides the internal/external communication activities of the organization that plans, designs, and builds/renovates Chicago’s public facilities.
Over his 20-plus-year career, Bryant has demonstrated the ability to lead and direct teams to reach a common goal effectively. In addition, he has a proven capacity to identify key solutions to best meet the organization's needs and has excellent qualifications in ensuring goals are met without compromising the organization's integrity.
Bryant holds a Master’s in Urban Planning and Policy (MUPP) from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
BRYANT PAYNE
Bryant Payne is a hands-on communications professional with extensive public relations and strategic management experience in government, academic, and corporate environments. He currently serves as the Director of Communications for the Public Building Commission of Chicago, where he acts as spokesperson and strategically guides the internal/external communication activities of the organization that plans, designs, and builds/renovates Chicago’s public facilities.
Over his 20-plus-year career, Bryant has demonstrated the ability to lead and direct teams to reach a common goal effectively. In addition, he has a proven capacity to identify key solutions to best meet the organization's needs and has excellent qualifications in ensuring goals are met without compromising the organization's integrity.
Bryant holds a Master’s in Urban Planning and Policy (MUPP) from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
BRYANT PAYNE
Bryant Payne is a hands-on communications professional with extensive public relations and strategic management experience in government, academic, and corporate environments. He currently serves as the Director of Communications for the Public Building Commission of Chicago, where he acts as spokesperson and strategically guides the internal/external communication activities of the organization that plans, designs, and builds/renovates Chicago’s public facilities.
LET'S GET IN TOUCH
LET'S GET IN TOUCH
Reach out to us today to learn more about the numerous services provided by the Generations Housing Initiatives team!