2008-07-03 12:09:10 -

- Los Angeles-based Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing (GLEH), developer of the nation's first nonprofit, affordable, multicultural housing development, has announced the appointment of new officers to its Board of Directors. Mark Lehman, of the Law Offices of Mark Lehman, Esq., has been appointed Chair of the Board of Directors. Additional officer appointments include: Mike Mueller, President of Mueller Design,

Inc. (as Vice Chair); Ruth Tittle, Owner of Capital Drugs (as Secretary); and Ara Babaian of the law offices of Ervin, Cohen & Jessup LLP (as Treasurer).

Mark Lehman, a member of the Board of Director for over 4 years, said, "I am looking forward to working with Mark Supper, GLEH's Executive Director, and the new officers to guide this organization towards the next phase of its expansion to develop new projects for our GLBT seniors." Mr. Lehman succeeds Carolyn Dye as Board Chair. During her tenure as Board Chair, GLEH, along with development partner McCormack Baron Salazar, completed Triangle Square(TM), the nation's first affordable housing for seniors 62 and older with services for GLBT seniors. Ms. Dye will continue to serve on the Board of Directors of GLEH.

Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing

In October 2005, Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing began building Triangle Square(TM), 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. Triangle Square opened its doors in May 2007. The $22M facility has 103 affordable apartments and is located in the heart of Hollywood's most vibrant redevelopment district. Located on the corner of Selma and Ivar Avenues in Hollywood, Triangle Square is designed to house individuals of mixed incomes under an affordable housing model. Of the units, 35 of them are set aside for people who are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless, or who are living with HIV/AIDS. An estimated 30,000 to 75,000 GLBT older adults reside in the greater Los Angeles area (based on a range of 3 to 8 percent of the total aging population).

The building's GLBT Older Adult Community Center serves residents of the building and others with social services, classes and cultural events. This project not only benefits the greater Los Angeles community, but is 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, 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 GLBT 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 other "at risk" populations.

For Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing
Jeff Smith, 323/866-0880, ext. 101
jsmith@js2comm.com