Jacqueline Valentín

Jacqueline Valentin is a graduate student in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of California, Irvine. Growing up in a low-income household in Southern California and witnessing housing quality challenges firsthand inspired her commitment to advancing policy solutions that expand access to affordable housing.
Through her work in nonprofit affordable housing advocacy, Jacqueline has gained experience in policy research, community engagement, and grassroots advocacy efforts. She is particularly interested in affordable housing policy, real estate development, and housing finance, with a focus on leveraging creative financing and development strategies to increase the production of affordable homes.

As a Merritt Scholar, Jacqueline hopes to expand her knowledge and skills, learn from experienced professionals, and build meaningful relationships with others who share a commitment to creating positive change in the affordable housing field.