We are excited to open a new chapter in empowering women and families across New York City. HousingPlus is thrilled to announce and welcome the appointment of Karen Ford as its new Chief Executive Officer.
The announcement ushering in a new era for women and families across New York City was made by Board Chair Katie Brown. Ford’s selection to lead this nonprofit that provides a lifeline for thousands of women and children across New York City follows a nationwide search led by the HousingPlus Board and its Succession Planning Committee.
A proud Brooklyn native who dedicated her life to building stronger, more equitable communities, Ford brings more than 35 years of experience in housing and human services to the role. The new HousingPlus CEO most recently served as Executive Vice President for Homeless and Support Services at CAMBA, and previously as the City of New York’s inaugural Executive Director for the Mayor’s Office for Nonprofit Services.
“The board immediately recognized that Karen Ford shares a deep commitment to our mission,” said Board Chair Katie Brown. “Under her leadership, the organization steps into a bright future of providing services to even more individuals and families in need.”
Ford’s appointment marks a new chapter for HousingPlus, a nonprofit that has grown into a trusted lifeline for women and their children facing poverty, homelessness, trauma, addiction, and the effects of incarceration. Ford succeeds Rita Zimmer, who founded HousingPlus in 2002. Zimmer, who led the organization from its inception and through its first two decades, announced plans to retire earlier this year.
“It is an incredible honor to step into this role and work with an incredible staff dedicated to building a safe and supportive space for women and families facing poverty, homelessness, trauma, and the lasting impacts of incarceration,” said Ford. “I’ve spent my career working at the intersection of government and nonprofit services, and I’m excited to help build upon the foundation HousingPlus has laid to provide safe, stable housing, and support services that empower women to define—and reach—their goals.”
With experience in both frontline and executive roles, Ford’s impressive resume includes leadership positions at Samaritan Daytop Village, HELP USA, and the NYC Housing Authority, as well as two roles at the Department of Homeless Services—initially as a residential aide, and later as Deputy Commissioner for Family Services, where she led efforts to reduce shelter stays and strengthen family reunification services.
As COO at HELP USA, she oversaw daily operations across multiple locations and implemented system-wide improvements that increased service efficiency for more than 5,000 individuals annually.
At City Hall, she launched the Mayor’s Office for Nonprofit Services, leading the city’s response to the Joint Task Force to Get Nonprofits Paid on Time, and advocated to secure the long-awaited Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for nonprofit workers—benefiting tens of thousands across New York City.
Using the Housing First model, HousingPlus has expanded services to meet the complex needs of justice-impacted women, and helped shape public policy conversations around gender, housing, and support for formerly incarcerated people. Over more than two decades, the nonprofit’s work has changed countless lives and set a standard for trauma-informed, gender-responsive care. It earned top scores in both 2023 and 2024 in the Annual Continuum of Care Evaluation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), ranking first among more than 150 housing service providers in New York City.
“Karen is the right person at the right time to lead HousingPlus,” Zimmer said. “This is a significant moment, and I know Karen is an excellent choice as the next leader.“
Recognized as a 2023 Nonprofit Power Player by Politics NY and honored by the National Association of Social Workers, Ford is also a HUD Community Builder Fellow, a New York Leadership Fellow, and a recent graduate of the Real Estate Associates Program focused on diversity in commercial real estate. She holds degrees from Adelphi University and Fordham University Schools of Social Work and is a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Ford cherishes her Brooklyn roots, her Brooklyn accent, and her growing family—three children and three grandchildren who keep her grounded and inspired.
As this agency embarks on this new journey, HousingPlus remains steadfast in its mission: to create lasting change, one woman, one family, one future at a time.
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Media Contact:
Corey Bearak, Brill Media Group
(718) 343-6779
brillmedia@msn.com
HousingPlus Contact:
Michelle Bova
(347) 897-4843
michelle@housingplusnyc.org