Our Housing Advocate of the Year award is a rare honor, reserved for those whose leadership has profoundly advanced the cause of affordable housing. It recognizes visionaries whose work not only shapes policy, but also transforms lives – ensuring that families, seniors and individuals have the stability and dignity of a safe home.
This year, National CORE and Hope through Housing are proud to present this award to Marina Wiant, executive director of the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee (TCAC) and the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee (CDLAC). Marina has been a driving force in expanding access to affordable housing across the state. Through her leadership, she has safeguarded critical resources, advanced innovative financing and created pathways for thousands of Californians to find housing and hope.
Marina was appointed by California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, who praised Marina for “her heart, her vision and her leadership.”
“Marina cares about our community and, because of her experience, people feel at their ease,” Fiona said. “She is the right person at the right time. Because of her, more quality affordable housing is being built every single year – more than we’ve ever had before.”
Marina’s expertise is matched by her heart. She has been a trusted partner and a tireless advocate for organizations like National CORE, helping ensure that we – and others in the field – can continue building communities of opportunity. Her efforts have strengthened California’s housing system while keeping the focus where it matters most: on the people whose lives are changed when they finally have a place to call home.
In honoring Marina Wiant as Housing Advocate of the Year, we celebrate not only her achievements, but her belief that housing is the foundation for hope, stability and a brighter future for all.