RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. – National CORE, the nation’s third largest nonprofit developer of affordable housing, will celebrate its 20-year anniversary Oct. 26 with a national housing symposium and evening gala.
The two events, at the Sheraton Event Center in Pomona, will showcase National CORE as “a catalyst for community revitalization,” said Steve PonTell, the organization’s chief executive officer.
“We live in a changed world, where creative and innovative public-private partnerships may determine whether a community survives or heads down the path to insolvency,” PonTell said. “National CORE is focused on bringing stakeholders together, creating synergy and tearing down the silos that keep cities from moving forward.”
Sponsored by Cigna, the invitation-only symposium, “Building the Future of Community,” will bring together experts from a broad range of social service, economic development, affordable housing and community development interests to talk about ways to create positive change in communities.
“This is a working meeting designed to produce results,” PonTell said. “We’re challenging the top experts in their fields to cross boundaries and collaboratively develop successful comprehensive solutions to revitalize neighborhoods and inspire families to move toward economic stability.”
The symposium will begin with a presentation by Joel Kotkin, an internationally-recognized authority on global, economic, political and social trends and author of “The Next Hundred Million: America in 2050.” Confirmed participants include Phil Burgess, president of the Annapolis Institute; Greg Deveraux, chief administrative officer for San Bernardino County; Michael Hecht, chief executive officer of GNO Inc.; Randy Jackson, president of the Planning Center; and Dr. Jennifer Gutzmore, regional medical executive for Cigna.
The gala that evening will honor National CORE’s two decades as a developer of affordable housing, during which it has served more than 250,000 residents. Though its Hope through Housing subsidiary, CORE has provided more than 2 million hours in supportive services to enhance quality of life, including preschool, afterschool and senior wellness programs.
“There are very few organizations anywhere that can boast the kind of success National CORE has achieved,” said Deborah Robertson, City Council member in Rialto, Calif., where CORE’s Citrus Grove development has been praised by State Schools Superintendent Tom Torlakson as a model safe haven for at-risk youth and families. “Given the challenges faced by every city in California right now, we’re fortunate to have this kind of partnership.”
The gala will feature silent and live auctions, video and historical displays, and award presentations to the City of Oceanside and the San Bernardino County Preschool Services Department.
ABOUT NATIONAL CORE

  • National CORE, based in Rancho Cucamonga, is the nation’s 3rd largest nonprofit developer of affordable housing, according to Affordable Housing Finance.
  • National CORE has 80 developments with more than 8,800 residents in California, Texas, Arkansas and Florida.
  • In 20 years, National CORE has served over 250,000 residents. That would be like housing one out of every 8 people in San Bernardino County for one year.
  • For the past 15 years, CORE’s Hope through Housing Foundation has provided more than 2 million hours in supportive services to enhance the quality of life for its residents, including preschool, afterschool and senior wellness programs.
  • The National Association of Homebuilders honored National CORE in 2004 as the nation’s Top Multifamily Housing Developer and in 2010 for Best Affordable Housing Community for Villaggio on Route 66 in Rancho Cucamonga.
  • In 2012, National CORE was recognized by the Urban Land Institute as the Best of the Best for Achievement in Community for its Vista Dunes development in La Quinta.
  • National CORE has been honored with Community of the Year awards seven out of the last eight years.

CONTACT: Steve Lambert, The 20/20 Network
(909) 841-7527 stevelambert2020@gmail.com