INTERNAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
Meeting Date: November 24, 2025
Subject: Affordable Housing Finance Committee Recruitment
Submitted For: John Kopchik, Director
Department: Conservation and Development
Referral No: IOC 25/3
Referral Name: Advisory Body Recruitment
Presenter: Kristin Sherk
Contact: Kristin.Sherk@dcd.cccounty.us <mailto:Kristin.Sherk@dcd.cccounty.us>
Referral History:
The Affordable Housing Finance Committee (AHFC) advises the Board of Supervisors on the annual allocation of HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Measure X Housing, and Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) funds for affordable housing development in Contra Costa County. It typically convenes once annually in the spring to review staff’s recommendations for project funding of applications received through a public request for proposals process. The AHFC consists of seven seats, including:
• Three city representative seats (one from each sub-region of the County, currently residing in an incorporated city); and
• Three County representative seats (one from each sub-region of the County, currently residing in an unincorporated area of the County); and
• One Community/At-Large representative seat (currently residing in the County, either incorporated or unincorporated).
Nominations for AHFC representatives are solicited by the Department of Conservation and Development, reviewed by the Internal Operations Committee (IOC), and referred to the Board of Supervisors for approval. AHFC terms are for three years. Per the bylaws adopted in 2021, all members are required to have professional experience in the field of affordable housing finance, design, development, or property management. Members may be retired or active affordable housing professionals.
Referral Update:
The Department of Conservation and Development recruited for the open/vacant positions beginning on September 23, 2025, with applications due on October 27, 2025 (flyer attached). Eight applications have been submitted to fill four current vacancies:
|
Seat Name |
Vacant Since |
Current Term Expiration |
|
West Subregion City Representative |
June 30, 2024 |
June 30, 2027 |
|
Eastern Subregion Unincorporated Representative |
June 30, 2023 |
June 30, 2026 |
|
Central Subregion Unincorporated Representative |
June 30, 2025 |
June 30, 2028 |
|
Community/At-Large Representative |
June 30, 2025 |
June 30, 2028 |
Of the eight applications received, three have professional affordable housing experience in some capacity and are currently eligible for the Community/At-Large Representative position. The qualifications of the three recommended candidates are discussed further below.
No qualifying applications were received for the vacant West County City Representative seat, the vacant East County Unincorporated Representative seat, or for the vacant Central County Unincorporated Representative seat.
The remaining five applicants either reside in a region of the County where a representative seat is not currently vacant (Hang Mosier provided a workplace address located within Alameda County) and/or have not demonstrated professional affordable housing finance, design, and/or property management experience. These five applicants will be thanked for their applications and interest in serving and encouraged to consider other County commissions and committees.
The qualifying applicants have been invited to attend this meeting as their schedule permits them to be available for any questions the Committee may have.
Community/At-Large Representative Applications
• Sonya Bynum, Brentwood: Has worked for Habitat for Humanity for almost 7 years as the Homeowner Selection Manager. Ms. Bynum’s duties include completing the loan administrative work and coordinating with the buyer from time of selection through closing on their home. Sonya also serves on the employment education committee, HOA board, family selection committee, and home equity grant committee for Habitat for Humanity. Prior to working for Habitat for Humanity, Ms. Bynum worked for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage for 14 years as a processor and underwriter.
• Centina Lewis-Reed, Antioch: Has 12+ years of experience in case management and Centina currently works as a Case Manager for Rubicon Programs. Duties include coordinating with service providers, healthcare professionals, and community resources to ensure clients receive the necessary support and services. Centina previously worked as a Shelter Advocate for Trinity Center and duties included interviewing and assessing new clients, and connecting clients with essential services such as housing, healthcare, employment, legal assistance, and social services. Centina volunteers 40 hours a week with people experiencing homelessness.
• Victoria Robinson Smith, Orinda: Ms. Smith is a licensed attorney and Real Estate Broker and currently serves on the following Contra Costa County advisory boards: Assessment Appeals Board (2021-Current), Sustainability Commission (2017-Current), and Local Enforcement Agency Independent Hearing Panel (2018-Current). Ms. Smith has previously served on the Family and Children’s Trust Committee (2000-2004). In addition, Ms. Smith has served as Mayor for the City of Orinda (2008, 2010, 2016), as City Council Member for the City of Orinda from 2004 - 2016, and served on various local committees. Ms. Smith has also served as a City of Orinda Planning Commissioner from 2003-2004 and served as a Central Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority Board Member/Chair from 2011-2014. Since 2018, Ms. Smith has served as the President of the Orinda Senior Village Foundation, which owns and operates the Orinda Senior Village. The Orinda Senior Village is a 150-unit low-income senior apartment complex. In 2018, the Orinda Senior Village Foundation created a sister organization, the Orinda Senior Housing Foundation (OSHF), to build and operate a second senior affordable apartment project, the Vista Verde Community Housing Project. During the past six years serving as President of OSHF, Ms. Smith has helped plan the design and construction of the building and grounds, received City approvals, selected a developer, selected a lender for construction and perm loans, and is planning to break ground in early 2026. Her work as President has generally involved working closely with the Project Manager, the Construction Manager, the affordable housing Financing Consultant, the attorneys, architects, contractors, design professionals, the Asset Manager, and the mission partner, the Orinda Community Church, making her a knowledgeable candidate for the Affordable Housing Finance Committee.
Staff recommends that the IOC review the attached application materials and consider making a recommendation out of the pool of qualified applicants for the Community/At-Large Representative seat.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
CONSIDER applicants for the Community/At-Large Representative seat on the Affordable Housing Finance Committee to complete the current term that will expire on June 30, 2028 and DETERMINE recommendation for Board of Supervisors consideration.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
None.
Attachments:
AHFC Media Release - September 2025
AHFC Roster - November 2025
AHFC Applications Received:
Butler Owens, Angela (Redacted)
Bynum, Sonya (Redacted)
Callan, Jason (Redacted)
Johnson, Ashley (Redacted)
Jordan Jr., Eric (Redacted)
Lewis-Reed, Centina (Redacted)
Mosier, Hang (Redacted)
Robinson Smith, Victoria (Redacted)