This month’s staff spotlight, Daniela Revollo, brings a passion for community and diverse social development experience to her position as one of the dedicated project managers in Mi Casa’s housing development team.

Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, Daniela was actively involved in community development where she aided a Venezuelan foundation whose work also focused on the development of affordable housing for low income families. Daniela also worked in the private sector, giving her unique insight into how partnerships between different stakeholders can play a crucial role in the development of affordable housing. A graduate of The Catholic University of America with a Master of Science in Management, Daniela brings her breadth of experience to Mi Casa, Inc’s affordable housing development team.

“Seeing how projects are made possible with the partnership of different entities coming together to develop affordable housing gives me hope that much more can be done to revitalize and preserve the affordability of neighborhoods,” she said of the impact she has experienced while working at Mi Casa Inc. Daniela joined the Mi Casa team almost three years ago in November 2017, and has since become an indispensable member of our team, as she works daily with cooperative members throughout the District. As a project manager, Daniela partners with tenants and cooperative members seeking to preserve the affordability of their housing by purchasing their buildings under the DC Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, or TOPA. Daniela provides training to members and guides them through each step of the development process helping them to acquire, rehabilitate, and sustainably manage their buildings for years to come.

The development process for a limited equity cooperative is continual and intricate. Daniela is currently working with three limited equity cooperatives in various stages of development from the early start of coop conversion to construction rehab. Since the road to becoming a sustainable limited equity cooperative is often complex, it is crucial that the cooperative members function as a community, each assuming responsibility for their roles in the cooperative, and supporting each other during the many changes and challenges that occur.

“My favorite thing so far has been to see the cooperative members’ willingness to learn about running their cooperative effectively and efficiently,” Daniela commented on her work with one cooperative. “This has led them to not only the preservation of their building, but the creation of an environment where they support their neighbors, they assist each other with completing needed tasks, making sure the building is operated successfully, and reaching out for help when needed,”

Thanks Daniela for your ongoing commitment and hard work with the residents of DC to develop not only quality affordable housing, but strong communities as well.