As an early-career professional, Maria Landeros’ affordable housing industry experience began with a private developer in South Los Angeles, where her role was deeply rooted in supporting residents. While meaningful, the work also highlighted the challenges that arise when housing lacks strong oversight and long-term sustainability. It was during this time that Maria began asking bigger questions: How are we ensuring these developments truly meet the needs of residents while ensuring they remain safe, stable homes for years to come?
While she explored the industry more deeply, Merritt’s name continued to surface naturally through her network — with peers, mentors, and even during a fellowship. When reflecting on her career journey, Maria decided to pursue a new direction—one that would allow her to engage earlier in the development process and better understand the financing and accountability behind affordable housing in the early stages of how projects came to fruition.
Ultimately, Maria found a home at Merritt, where she began her new role as Investor Relations Coordinator. In this new chapter, she found exactly what she had been searching for. It wasn’t just about the day-to-day responsibilities, but also finding a strong fit with leadership, the culture, the learning and development opportunities, and having a seat at the table.
As part of her learning and development journey at Merritt, Maria began expanding her knowledge of affordable housing finance, completing a six-month certification program with Grow America focused on LIHTC in California. Having this program under her belt reaffirmed that joining Merritt was the right decision for her.
“What stands out for me most about Merritt is how intentional everything is,” she shared. “There are clear processes, strong collaboration, and space for everyone’s voice to be heard.”
Early in her career, Maria rarely saw herself reflected in leadership—particularly in roles shaping meaningful impact. Over time, witnessing the industry evolve has been powerful, and today, being part of an organization and guided by leadership that values a breadth of perspectives has made her feel truly valued and heard.
There is a greater sense of purpose that continues to drive Maria’s passion for affordable housing. Reflecting on her early, community-facing work, she carries with her a simple but powerful truth: a home is the foundation for everything. It’s where people find safety, stability, and a sense of pride—essentials for navigating life and building a future.
Beyond her role at Merritt, Maria serves on boards and committees with ULI REACH, the Long Beach Community Design Center, and the YWCA of the Harbor Area—guiding the next generation of housing leaders.
Looking ahead, Maria is eager to continue expanding her knowledge across Merritt’s work—from asset management to acquisitions—building a more holistic understanding of how each piece contributes to long-term impact. No matter where her path leads, her “why” remains the same.
About Merritt Community Capital Corporation
Merritt Community Capital Corporation is a mission-oriented affordable housing funder that serves the state of California. For more than 35 years, Merritt has been a trusted partner, investing more than $1.7 billion and creating over 12,500 affordable homes across California. Beyond investing in properties, Merritt invests in people. Through its Commitment to California initiative (C2C), Merritt proudly spearheads programs across the state that attract, train, and retain current and future affordable housers.
Merritt is also the west coast member of the National Association of State and Local Equity Funds (NASLEF), which empowers locally engaged, mission-driven housing and community investment partners to build thriving communities. By partnering with mission-aligned organizations and developers in the affordable housing space, Merritt ensures the most critical communities are developed and maintained for low-income residents.