Angela Jiménez, Housing Authority High Point CEO, Supports Community Growth Through Safe Housing and Supportive Programs

Time Business News

a day ago

The Housing Authority of the City of High Point (HPHA) has spent more than eight decades working to provide affordable housing and support services to individuals and families in need. What began in 1940 as a local initiative to deliver safe and sanitary housing for low-income citizens has grown into a broad network of programs designed to promote economic mobility, housing stability, and community development.
Based in High Point, North Carolina, the agency oversees more than 3,000 housing units and vouchers throughout the city. These include 1,146 units under the Public Housing Program, 1,812 tenant-based Housing Choice Vouchers, and 101 Section 8 New Construction units.
Its services are regulated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners. The organization's mission is to provide eligible families with adequate, affordable housing and access to economic advancement and homeownership opportunities in safe, drug-free environments.
Their efforts reach beyond housing to include educational, financial, and community programming that directly impacts residents' daily lives and future prospects.
Angela Jiménez: Leading Where She Once Lived
Angela Jiménez leads the HPHA not only as its Chief Executive Officer but also as someone who once called its housing programs home. Born and raised in public housing in High Point, Jiménez once participated in the same programs she now oversees.
After earning her high school diploma in Gainesville, Florida, Jiménez served in the U.S. Army and later earned a certification from Brookstone College. She went on to attend High Point University, where she completed both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Business Administration.
Jiménez began her career with the HPHA in 2003, serving in several different capacities before being promoted to Chief Operating Officer. She then served as Executive Director of the Rockingham Housing Authority before returning in 2010 to accept the position of CEO. Her appointment marked a historic milestone as the first woman to lead the agency since its founding.
A Professional Track Record of Public Service
Jiménez brings extensive experience in the housing industry to her role. Her credentials include certifications in HUD Public Housing, Section 8 programs, tax credits, mixed finance, and assisted housing management. Among her professional designations are Certified Property Manager (CPM), Accredited Residential Manager (ARM), and Graduate of the REALTOR Institute (GRI).
Licensed as both a North Carolina Realtor and a Real Estate Broker-in-Charge, she also holds credentials as a Certified Housing Counselor, North Carolina Workforce Specialist, and Notary Public.
Her community involvement includes service on numerous boards and committees, such as the City of High Point Planning & Zoning Commission, United Way of Greater High Point, the Salvation Army Advisory Board, and several regional and national housing organizations.
Throughout her career, Jiménez has earned several recognitions for her work, including Business Woman Extraordinaire of High Point, Women Pioneers of the Triad, and Minority Achievers' Corporate Executive. She is also a graduate of Leadership High Point.
Making Housing Accessible in High Point
The HPHA offers a wide variety of housing options for people and families who qualify. Its public housing includes single-family homes, garden apartments, duplexes, townhomes, and high-rises, with units ranging from studios to six bedrooms. Families are matched with units based on household size and how much space they need.
The agency also helps low-income households—especially seniors and people with disabilities—afford rent in the private market through the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. Most families pay between 30 and 40 percent of their income toward rent, and HPHA covers the rest by sending payments straight to landlords.
To qualify, rental units must pass a housing inspection and meet fair rent standards set by the agency. Vouchers can be used for rentals or, in some cases, to help buy a modest home.
The agency continues to provide new vouchers as they become available and encourages more landlords to join the program. Landlords benefit from reliable payments, extra security if a tenant's income changes, and access to a larger pool of renters who tend to stay long-term.
Local Services That Make a Difference
For many residents, housing is just the beginning. The HPHA also offers programs that help individuals and families build brighter futures.
The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program supports residents in public housing and voucher programs as they work toward goals like better employment, higher income, and financial stability. Each participant is matched with an FSS Caseworker for one-on-one support and has the opportunity to save money in a special escrow account.
As their income grows and rent increases, HPHA sets aside a portion of the difference into the account. Families who complete the program can use those savings for major expenses such as buying a car, paying off debt, or purchasing a home.
Workforce development opportunities are made possible through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding from the City of High Point. These grants support job training and help residents build long-term careers.
In addition, the HPHA provides HUD-approved housing counseling services. These include rental education, credit support, foreclosure prevention, and guidance for first-time homebuyers. An annual housing fair connects residents with local programs and service providers who can help them move toward their housing goals.
Each of these resources helps residents achieve greater stability and independence.
Uplifting the Next Generation
HPHA supports young residents with programs that encourage education, leadership, and personal growth. From after-school activities to summer enrichment, these opportunities help students stay engaged and build valuable skills for the future.
Current activities include the on-site Boys & Girls Club at Carson Stout Homes, as well as the ARTZ Club and Big Chair Chess Club. Youth can take part in the Summer Food and Summer Enrichment Programs, receive academic tutoring through High Point LEAP, and develop financial literacy through the SOAR initiative. Little Free Libraries placed throughout HPHA communities also promote a love of reading by making it easier to access books.
To recognize former residents who have stepped up as leaders and made a lasting impact in their communities, HPHA launched the Pillars of Fame program in 2005. Nominees are chosen for their civic involvement and their commitment to serving as mentors to current residents. Angela Jiménez—City of High Point Housing Authority CEO—was once honored as an inductee herself.
In 2014, the agency introduced the Rising Star Award to celebrate high school juniors and seniors in HPHA programs who excel in the classroom and give back through extracurricular and community service. Eligible students must maintain a high GPA and complete a personal essay as part of the application.
The Seeds-to-Success Endowment Fund Scholarship adds another layer of support by offering $500 in need-based tuition assistance for college or trade school. To apply, students must meet academic and service requirements and share their personal definition of success in a short essay.
These programs highlight HPHA's ongoing commitment to helping young residents grow, opening doors not just for education, but for lifelong leadership and opportunity.
Looking Ahead: HPHA's Role in City Revitalization
Beyond daily housing assistance, the HPHA plays a major role in citywide redevelopment. One of its most transformative projects began in 1999, when the agency secured a $20 million HOPE VI revitalization grant to replace the aging Springfield Townhomes.
That resulted in Spring Brook Meadows, a $60 million mixed-use community that includes 44 senior rental units, 118 single-family homes, a YMCA, a daycare center, sports fields, and a golf course.
As part of the same initiative, HPHA also redeveloped the former Clara Cox Homes site. Renamed Park Terrace, the site now features 250 units of mixed-income housing completed in three phases.
A more recent redevelopment is underway at Daniel Brooks Homes, originally built in 1942 and the oldest property in HPHA's inventory. Following HUD approval and a $6.5 million housing bond secured from the City of High Point, the agency plans to demolish 246 units and relocate 216 families.
The redevelopment plan includes 100 new mixed-income units on-site and 164 additional units built off-site. Laurel Street, the developer behind Park Terrace, will lead the project. Residents who participate in the Family Self-Sufficiency program will have priority to return to the new housing once construction is complete.
A Legacy of Community Impact
Under the leadership of Angela Jiménez, the HPHA continues to provide stability, opportunity, and long-term support to the residents it serves. Its programs span housing, education, redevelopment, and community services, each designed to meet people where they are and help them take the next step forward.
From working with landlords to expanding career training and youth development, the agency's efforts go beyond providing housing. They give residents the tools to become more self-sufficient and improve their overall quality of life.
Many of these efforts are supported through community contributions. Donations help fund programs like school supply drives, book stipends, scholarships, youth sports, and STEM learning opportunities. Supporters are recognized in a variety of ways, including in annual reports, at events, or through named sponsorships.
Together, these ongoing efforts reflect the agency's long-standing commitment to improving lives and strengthening communities throughout the city of High Point.
TIME BUSINESS NEWS