Gelsey Ramos

Gelsey Ramos is a Master of Public Policy student at the University of California, Irvine, interested in housing policy, immigration policy, and community development. Growing up in Pueblo Del Rio, a public housing community in Los Angeles, inspired Gelsey ‘s lifelong mission to affordable housing.
Having stable housing provided the foundation that enabled Gelsey to become the first person in her family to graduate from college and pursue graduate studies. At the same time, she witnessed the stigma surrounding public and subsidized housing and the challenges residents face when affordable housing is concentrated in under-resourced communities. Those experiences continue to shape her commitment to improving outcomes for low-income families.

As a Merritt Scholar, Gelsey hopes to deepen her understanding of the affordable housing industry, learn from experienced professionals, and explore innovative approaches to creating affordable, sustainable, and inclusive communities.