Claudia Monterrosa is a former Biden-Harris Presidential Appointee. This episode was recorded on June 10, 2024, and released on February 18, 2025, during the new presidential administration.
Show Notes for HONORable Conversations: Episode 4 - Claudia Monterrosa
Welcome to HONORable Conversations, hosted by the charismatic Mario Ceballos! Join us as we embark on a journey of candid and insightful discussions with some of the most influential LGBTQ Latinx figures today.
In this engaging conversation, Claudia Monterrosa shares her journey from a Salvadoran immigrant to a leader in the Biden administration. She reflects on her experiences in Washington, D.C., the significance of her role at HUD, and the personal challenges she faced, including coming out and navigating her identity. Claudia emphasizes the importance of family support, education, and activism in shaping her path, while also discussing the impact of her work on communities across the nation. The conversation highlights the resilience and strength found in personal and professional relationships, as well as the profound lessons learned through public service.
Key Takeaways
Claudia felt ecstatic and nervous when she received the call from the Biden administration.
She credits her mother for her sacrifices that enabled her success.
Claudia emphasizes the importance of family support in her journey.
Coming out was a challenging process for Claudia, especially with her traditional mother.Education played a crucial role in Claudia's life and activism.
Claudia's relationship with her wife Joyce has been a source of strength.
She represents HUD and feels the weight of that responsibility.
Claudia's experiences in different communities have been grounding and inspiring.
The journey has tested Claudia and Joyce's partnership but strengthened their love.
Claudia believes public service is an honor and a call to serve.
Guest Spotlight: Alfred Fraijo Jr.
Professional Background:
As Deputy Assistant Secretary for Grant Programs, Claudia Monterrosa oversees affordable housing and community development programs, including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, the HOME Investment Partnerships program, the Housing Trust Fund, and CDBG Disaster Recovery funds, in addition to Department-wide energy and environmental policy.
Advocacy and Leadership:
DAS Monterrosa brings decades of non-profit and public sector experience incorporating social justice, grassroots organizing, and equity to her work at HUD. Previously, Ms. Monterrosa served as the Chief Housing Officer for the City of Los Angeles. In this capacity, she oversaw the implementation of Measure HHH’s $1.2 billion for the development of Permanent Supportive Housing and successfully secured over $1.6 billion for emergency rental assistance for COVID-impacted tenants. She served as the Public Policy & Research Director at the Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department (HCIDLA), where she managed a team that secured more than $800 million in new funding for affordable housing, energy efficiency programs, foreclosure prevention, and strategic planning and preservation initiatives. Ms. Monterrosa directly led efforts to secure the adoption and implementation of the City’s inaugural Eviction Defense Program, including $10.5 million in funding for the first year and subsequently securing an additional $30 million to extend the program through 2024. In 2017, her efforts led to the creation of the City's first permanent local source of funding for affordable housing via the adoption of the Affordable Housing Linkage Fee. In that same year, she led the City’s successful adoption of the Assessment of Fair Housing Plan under HUD’s new Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Rule (AFFH).
Education:
MA in Urban Planning from the University of California, Los Angeles
BA in Political Science and Latin American & Iberian Studies from UC Santa Barbara.
About Your Host: Mario Ceballos
Mario Ceballos, president of HONOR PAC, is a trailblazer for Latina/o LGBT political action. Under his leadership, HONOR PAC has become a pivotal voice for the Latina/o LGBT community in California, advocating for progressive change and representation in government.
To wrap up the episode, Mario Ceballos and Alfred Fraijo Jr. engage in a lively lightning round where Alfred shares some fun and personal insights, giving listeners a glimpse into his personality beyond his professional achievements.
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Thank you for tuning in to HONORable Conversations, where every episode is a chance to learn, laugh, and be inspired. ¡Hasta la próxima!
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