Staff

Charly Ligety is responsible for helping launch and lead The Housing Innovation Collaborative (or “HICo”), the non-profit housing-focused R+D platform showcasing and piloting new design, finance, and policy solutions to address the housing affordability crisis. Prior to joining HOM, Charly worked in the commercial real estate finance industry for over 10 years, and was recently focused on enhancing state and local housing policy and structuring collaborative transactions to address Los Angeles’ affordable housing crisis. Charly is passionate about applying a creative, inclusive, and entrepreneurial mindset towards overcoming the vast range of challenges within the housing industry.

Charly has experience working on both the equity and debt sides of commercial real estate, working for a boutique real estate private equity firm as an analyst prior to joining Wells Fargo’s Commercial Real Estate Group as a Relationship Manager in Los Angeles. In that role, Charly developed new business relationships with large investment firms and developers and managed a $400 million loan portfolio, which included underwriting and managing value-add and construction loans on a range of property types throughout the U.S.

Charly graduated with honors from the full-time MBA program at University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business in 2018. While in graduate school, Charly became a published author of Very Engaging, an interactive conversation guidebook for couples, which he co-authored with a former colleague. Charly earned his Bachelor of Arts from Dartmouth College, majoring in Geography and Economics. At Dartmouth, Charly was a varsity member of the nationally-ranked Division 1 Dartmouth Ski Team. As a native of Park City, Utah, Charly is still a passionate skier and mountain biker. Charly enjoys exploring his adopted city of Los Angeles, along with biking, hiking, and long walks on the beach with his wife.

Miki Metz oversees all matters related to compliance and operations for Housing on Merit. This includes oversight of compliance as it relates to HOM’s role as Managing General Partner of numerous bond-financed and government-supported multifamily housing projects across the country. Prior to joining HOM, Miki worked as Manager of Planning & Program Development for a large non-profit based in Northern California that provides for the education and social welfare of children and families. Miki graduated summa cum laude from California State University, Sacramento, with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Women’s Studies. In addition to her work at Housing on Merit, Miki volunteers her time to local non-profit organizations that fight for social justice and work to support, empower, and educate women and children in San Diego County.

Valerie Nguyen started in the non-profit field as a Programs and Development Intern for Read to a Child, a non-profit that focuses on improving literacy for elementary school students in the greater Los Angeles region.  She has volunteered as a tutor for underserved students in Los Angeles and participated in traditional Japanese dance during her time as an undergraduate at UCLA.  Valerie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology with minors in Asian Humanities and Global Health.  She is passionate about researching and implementing improved health services for children and seniors.  In her spare time, Valerie enjoys reading and cruising on her skateboard.

Leroy F. Bennett received his Bachelor of Science degree in Child and Family Development from Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina.  He was an Admissions & Recruitment Director where he worked at a job readiness training center in Newark, New Jersey.  Leroy is a third generation educator as a former classroom Instructional Assistant and a Science Teacher, he is extremely ardent about working with the at-risk school students, and people who come from underserved communities.  He was also a Program Coordinator for at-risk and underserved youth, and has volunteered his expertise in field of job readiness skills training for the unemployed population at several non-profit agencies while living in North Carolina.  Leroy is a published author who has written about the plight of people experiencing homelessness in his book “Welcome to the Hotel California.”  He is very passionate about helping people who are looking to achieve self-empowerment.  Prior to the pandemic, he loved performing in community theatre, just don’t ask him to sing!

Monserrat Cubillas is currently working toward her Associates Degree in Child Development and is fascinated by social studies. She has a special interest in environmental issues, and has volunteered as an environmental educator cultivating awareness and nurturing curiosity at schools.  Because of her passion and commitment to teaching and helping youth reach their full potential, she has worked as an English as a Second Language Teacher in Mexico. Besides her work at Housing on Merit, Monserrat volunteers at a local non-profit environmental organization, working in school-based reforestations and beach cleanups.

Leonor Gomez graduated from California State University, Los Angeles with a Bachelor’s in Public Health where she was part of the Student Health Advocacy Committee, and educated, empowered and advocated for her peers. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist and is motivated to assess, implement and evaluate various services to give back to her community and raise the voices of marginalized groups.  Post-graduation, she received training and certification as a Mental Health Recovery Specialist through Jump Start. During her time at Jump Start, Leonor interned with Project Return Peer Support Network, where she provided peer support for members in various community settings and facilitated and attended support groups to promote mental health supportive services.  As a Resident Services Coordinator, she hopes to maintain communication with residents to meet their long-term housing, employment, academic, mental health, financial, and personal goals.

Beverly Jackson has a long history working in social services coordinating and directing programs in underserved communities focusing on senior mental health, advocacy, services as well as HIV treatment and prevention.  She developed the Electric University for San Francisco Network for Elders, providing power safety for homebound seniors and spearheading the Healthy Neighborhood Initiative for seniors and people with disabilities on the San Pablo Ave corridor of Oakland, California while at the East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation.   She brings creative program ideas to increase quality of life for residents at Harriet Tubman Terrace Apartments.

Alexandra Lloyd is committed to working toward greater modes of liberation and justice against structures of disempowerment, displacement, and racial and gender barriers.  To inform these passions, she received her BA in History and Politics from Willamette University, and is on track to pursue a Master’s in the Art of Teaching.  Her drive for social change led her to join the Kabataan Alliance, a grassroots coalition aimed to bring awareness to Filipino identity as well as issues that affect minority communities.  In addition to political activism, Alexandra is dedicated to quality and accessible education for all students, working for after school programs and substitute teaching for all age groups, with an emphasis on high school education.  She hopes to synthesize her passions for teaching and social justice advocacy with Housing on Merit.  In her spare time, you will probably find Alexandra nestled with a cup of coffee, reading or writing with her cat “Grandpa.”

Berenice Monroy was born and raised in Oxnard, California. She began working with Housing on Merit because of her passion for making a difference in the lives of youth and underprivileged families. She has a particular interest in helping children and, in addition to HOM, works and volunteers at a local elementary school. Berenice has also volunteered her time with numerous organizations and outreach causes including children’s hospitals and the homeless community. She hopes to one day start her own foundation and continue making a difference in the lives of the underprivileged.

Yeping Tran is a third-year student at Sacramento State University, majoring in Health and Human Service.  Her passion is working with seniors, and as a Resident Services Coordinator is gaining more experience and skills to better serve seniors.  She also volunteers at the University of California, Davis Hospice Program every week, visiting hospice patients in their home and spending time doing small chores, reading, and providing companionship. During the pandemic, she supports hospice patients by sending cards and making phone calls.  In her spare time, Yeping likes to go hiking and connecting with nature.