Carmen Romero

As President and CEO, Ms. Romero oversaw the creation of True Ground Housing Partner’s current strategic plan for 2023 to 2027, and is responsible for its implementation. She supervised the organization’s strategic rebranding initiative, which included changing its name in 2024, highlighting its evolution into a regional provider of affordable housing and resident services. She has also prioritized capacity building to match real estate portfolio growth.

True Ground’s portfolio includes $1 billion in assets and 23 affordable apartment communities in four jurisdictions across the region totaling 2,800+ units, with more than 5,200 individuals and families who call a True Ground apartment home.

Under Ms. Romero’s leadership, True Ground has received numerous awards for its innovative contributions to affordable housing, including Affordable Housing Finance’s ranking of the Top 50 Affordable Developers of 2023, in addition to the best-in-class credential for its resident services program, The Certified Organization for Resident Engagement and Services (CORES).

Recent real estate milestones include the opening of Ilda’s Overlook Senior Residences, True Ground’s second project to deliver in Fairfax County, and Unity Homes at Ballston in Arlington County, a mixed-use development created through a partnership with Central United Methodist Church. Ms. Romero also oversees three high-impact projects under construction: 500+ units at The Exchange at Spring Hill Station in Tysons Corner, Riggs Crossing Senior Residences in Washington, D.C., and Marbella in Arlington. Additionally, True Ground was awarded the RFP for Crystal House in Arlington, which will consist of at least 655 affordable units.

In 2021 during her first year as CEO, Ms. Romero supervised two milestone projects: the award-winning Lucille & Bruce Terwilliger Place, in partnership with American Legion Post 139, and a joint venture with E&G Group to develop True Ground’s first project in Loudoun County, Loudoun View Senior Residences. Both projects delivered in 2022.

Before she became CEO, Ms. Romero led True Ground’s Real Estate Development team for a decade. Under her management, True Ground created and preserved more than 1,800 new affordable housing units in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Montgomery counties.