Testimonials
Annie Barnes, Executive Director
Sunrise Special Services Foundation
Ancel came highly recommended due to his work in the development of affordable housing.
We tapped his services to develop a strategic plan for our non-profit organization. His professionalism and ability to understand our needs is impressive and translated into a successful RFP requested by a County client. It is not every day that I meet a consultant with Ancel's breadth of experience in assisting in the planning and development of a non profit health, housing and social services agency like Sunrise. His work ethic (and ability to say "no" so that he can focus on priority projects requiring his undivided attention!) is greatly manifested in the very polished quality of his work.
Bruce Laycook, Chairman
HumanGood Affordable Housing Advisory & Consulting Board of Directors
I have had the great privilege of working with Ancel Romero for more than 20 years. First as a member of the Board of Directors for American Baptist Homes of the West and then as the Chairman of the Board for HumanGood Affordable Housing I have seen first hand Ancel’s passionate commitment to providing safe, clean, high-quality affordable housing and services to low-income seniors and families.
As President of the Affordable Housing division, Ancel was a phenomenal leader of staff and an excellent communicator with residents and stakeholders. He continues to be a tireless advocate for housing and services for the under-served. He has shepherded from conception to full occupancy both HUD 202 and Low Income Housing Tax Credit communities. He has ensured the highest quality construction standards were adhered to and that consistently high HUD and tax credit compliance and survey results were received during his tenure.
As his board chair I can testify Ancel was always accessible to me and never failed to follow up on specific requests and matters of concern. He is a consummate professional, and is highly esteemed by his peers in the housing and services community. I have learned to trust his judgment and vast experience, and to appreciate the excellent relationship he has developed with the representatives of all the state and federal regulatory and funding agencies. Developers, construction contractors, and investors often sought out Ancel and HumanGood as a preferred partner in both new construction and rehab/retrofitting projects precisely because of his expertise, his ethics, and his passion. I have seen first-hand that he believes in ensuring equity in all aspects of his work life, and consistently promoted that as an organizational value while at ABHOW/HumanGood.
Barbara (Bobbie) Hubbard
President, Sunnyvale Life, Inc. Board of Directors
I became a member of the Board of Directors of Sunnyvale Life, Inc. (dba Life’s Garden) in 2010. Life’s Garden is a 208-unit affordable housing community for seniors located in Sunnyvale, California. It welcomed its first residents in 1976. As the property was approaching 40 years of age, it needed renovation. With the realization that we did not have the knowledge, expertise and resources to accomplish the renovation, we met with other organizations who could help. We contacted American Baptist Homes of the West (ABHOW) and met Ancel. During our first meeting, Ancel focused on the ethical values and standards that ABHOW held. There was total synergy with the values of our board.
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ABHOW was selected to be our partner and we worked together harmoniously on the $25 million renovation of the property. It was completed in 2018 after 2 years of construction. Ancel and his highly qualified team guided us through the financing, managed the contractor and architect and smoothly transitioned to being the property manager. Throughout this time of working together, Ancel was always available to meet with us and immediately resolved any issues. His team was adept at helping the residents through their disrupted lives which included having to relocate for 3 months while their apartments were renovated.
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With the renovation of Life’s Garden complete, the Sunnyvale Life board is continuing our mission of providing affordable senior housing. We unanimously approved continuing to work with Human Good as our partner. Ancel and his capable team located land in Morgan Hill, California and negotiated a fair acquisition price on our behalf. We have plans to build an 81-unit affordable housing community and are pursuing financing and detailed construction plans. Human Good will manage the project and the property once construction is completed.
The professionalism, expertise and ethical standards that Ancel and his team exhibit were key to the successful renovation of Life’s Garden and will be to the completion of our Morgan Hill property and whatever undertaking follows. We will miss Ancel, but have complete faith and trust in the team that he built.
Turhan Johnson, Board Member
Temple Westlake Neighborhood Development Corporation
Twenty one years , I developed a working relationship with Mr. Ancel Romero when Temple Westlake Development Corporation began a formal managerial agreement with ABHOW, now Human Good. Throughout those years, Ancel demonstrated very good administrative and leadership skills coupled with a wealth of understanding of the procedures needed to successfully operate an affordable housing complex. Ancel not only provided the financial tools that would insure a strong financial base; but he had a truly deep concern to provide a safe, healthy, and comfortable environment for the tenants. Ancel is passionate about his work, and holds himself to the highest possible standard within the affordable housing industry. His experience and expertise makes him a valuable asset to the industry.
Agnes Navarro-Garcia, Executive Director
Filipino Community of Seattle
I have known Ancel for more than 5 years. He worked with us on our first major project which is an affordable housing for seniors called the Filipino Community Village (FCV). We were so fortunate to have Ancel and his team work with us. We did not have any experience on this but because of Ancel‘s expertise and long history of working on affordable housing, our organization felt confident in facing this challenging task. He was there every step of the way. He truly showed his utmost commitment to our community. Inspite of COVID, he made sure that construction went smoothly and on time. Once FCV is completed in May 2021, we will be able to accommodate 94 seniors to live in Seattle.
Jeff Glaze, Founding President
Superior Performance International
Having worked with Ancel for over 20 years, I know about his tremendous passion for providing affordable housing.
I saw Ancel bring his vision to life as he led the effort to increase the number of markets where we provided affordable housing; doubling, tripling and more our presence through construction, management and acquisition. Ancel and his team accomplished this good work with his leadership and the leadership of those he mentored. Ancel is recognized nationally as a leader and expert in the field of affordable housing for older adults.
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Reverend Father John Piderit, S.J.
President (Retired), Loyola University Chicago
Ancel Romero combines professional and interpersonal characteristics that explain what has made him such a successful manager of many different types of properties. As a manager, he keeps his eye on the daily essentials – cleanliness, smoothly operating services and utilities, safety, attractive hallways and meeting areas. In his view, these constitute the minimum service that a property manager has to guarantee. Like a father managing his house, Ancel wants everyone in his properties to feel at home. For this reason, he keeps his eyes both on short-term and long-term needs. In particular, he plans ahead for renovations. Even more impressive, he knows his tenants and likes interacting with them. Like a cool breeze on a hot summer day, he likes surprising the people in his properties with beauty and personal touches throughout the year. Ancel has his own wonderful family on whom he dotes. In like manner, he splurges attention on the people in the properties he manages. He’s a friendly, efficient, and outstanding manager and planner.
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