Succeeding founding leader Rita Zimmer, Karen Ford opens a new chapter in empowering women and families across New York City.
After more than two decades under the visionary leadership of founding Executive Director Rita Zimmer, HousingPlus is proud to announce the appointment of Karen Ford as its new Chief Executive Officer. The announcement was made today by Board Chair Katie Brown, following a nationwide search led by the HousingPlus Board and its Succession Planning Committee.
Ford brings more than 35 years of experience in housing and human services to the role, most recently serving 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.
“It is an incredible honor to step into Rita’s legacy,” 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.”
Zimmer, who launched HousingPlus in 2002, has dedicated more than two decades to building a safe and supportive space for women and families facing poverty, homelessness, trauma, and the lasting impacts of incarceration. Under her steadfast leadership, HousingPlus has grown from a bold vision into a lifeline for thousands of women and children across New York City.
Through her pioneering work, Rita championed the Housing First model, 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. Her unwavering commitment has changed countless lives and set a standard for trauma-informed, gender-responsive care.
“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. “
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.
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. She is a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.
A proud Brooklyn native, Ford cherishes her roots, her Brooklyn accent, and her growing family—three children and three grandchildren who keep her grounded and inspired.
About HousingPlus
Founded in 2003, HousingPlus is a New York City-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides community-based housing and comprehensive support services to women—including those with children—impacted by poverty, homelessness, trauma, addiction, and incarceration. HousingPlus empowers women to achieve stability and define meaningful goals for themselves and their families. The organization has 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. For more information, please visit housingplusnyc.org.
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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