California Lutheran Homes

02/03/2026

Thanks to California Lutheran Homes, CEOs of Lutheran organizations are attending the Lutheran Services in America’s leadership conference, where CLH is a sponsor. “Our sponsorship enables CEOS who might not have the financial means to attend the conference to participate,” says Nancy Ackerman, CLH’s CEO and president. Nancy, a deacon, is attending this week’s event in Jacksonville, Fla., along with Michele Bignardi, CLH board member. The Summit is a national gathering of senior leaders committed to navigating today’s uncertainty with boldness and purpose.

11/17/2025

“When people are housed, they thrive. Health improves. Education flourishes. Dreams are within reach. Communities grow stronger.” With those words, California Lutheran Home (CLH) President and CEO Deacon Nancy Ackerman dedicated the Biddy Mason Charitable Foundation house in Los Angeles. CLH bought and renovated the house, and allows BMCF to use it for its work to support current and former youth in foster care. To read more, visit www.californialutheranhomes.org.

11/10/2025

The Rev. Dr. William L. Hurst, Jr, vice chair of California Lutheran Homes (CLH), spoke at the recent dedication of a house that the organization renovated for use by the Biddy Mason Charitable Foundation (BMCF). CLH helps the BMCF by letting it use the house for offices, recreational space, and apartments for youth formerly in foster care. “Every person deserves a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home.” says CLH Executive Director Nancy Ackerman. To read more of her remarks, visit https://californialutheranhomes.org/news/clh-executive-director-and-president-deacon-nancy-ackermans-remarks-at-a-house-dedication/

11/04/2025

After several years of renovation, California Lutheran Homes (CLH) recently dedicated a property it bought and renovated for use by the Biddy Mason Charitable Foundation (BMCF) in Los Angeles. The BMCF supports current and former foster youth. CLH‘s purchase of the house ensures that BMCF will always have a home to sustain its work. The house hosts offices, recreational space, and apartments for young people aging out of foster care. Here, CLH President and CEO Deacon Nancy Ackerman, right, cuts the ribbon with BMCF CEO Jackie Broxton.

11/22/2024

California Lutheran Homes (CLH) has partnered with Lutheran Social Services of Northern California (LSSNC) to help provide affordable housing for those in need. CLH recently provided a $2.79 million construction loan to LSSNC so it can qualify for the California Department of Housing and Community Development Portfolio Reinvestment Program. To read more:

For the first time, California Lutheran Homes (CLH) has partnered with Lutheran Social Services of Northern California (LSSNC) to help provide affordable housing for those in need.

11/22/2024

CLH welcomes Patricia "Trish" Norum to the team. Trish is a loan closer with more than 35 years in the real estate and finance industries. A retired attorney, Trish has a broad range of legal and title experience. She will be an asset to CLH, as it helps more organizations with their real estate efforts. To read more: https://californialutheranhomes.org/about/team/

06/25/2024

Our CEO Nancy Ackerman, Deacon, far right, is pleased to share that Los Angeles is considering changing the name of Pershing Square in honor of Biddy Mason, for which the Biddy Mason Charitable Foundation is named. CLH partners with the Foundation, which helps youth who were formerly in foster care. The Foundation is named for Ms. Mason, who was born into slavery and became a philanthropist and unsung hero of Los Angeles, founding the city’s First African Methodist Episcopal Church. Nancy is with Foundation team members, including CEO Jackie Broxton, second from right. For more information, see the LA Times story.
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-06-19/los-angeles-pershing-square-new-name-biddy-mason

05/14/2024

CLH’s mission to help organizations provide affordable housing comes in many shapes and sizes. We recently provided Hollywood West a $500,000 pre-construction loan to expedite FHA-insured financing for 84 affordable apartments it was renovating. CLH’s help allowed Hollywood West to purchase services needed to apply for the HUD-backed financing. Deacon Nancy Ackerman, CLH’s CEO, received this letter of thanks: “Without the support of CLH under your guidance, the $18 million FHA insured loan package may not have happened. Thank you and the CLH board for permitting this team to move forward, and thank your team for being so helpful. We will not forget it.”
To read more, see our newsletter https://californialutheranhomes.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/CLH-SP-Newsletter-6pages-04052023.
Bill Hurst

04/08/2024

We are thrilled to welcome Michele Bignardi to our CLH Foundation Board. Michele is a leader in the fundraising field, and is passionate about the power of philanthropy to build stronger communities. Her values and outlook are right in line with the CLH Foundation. She is a senior vice president with Netzel Grigsby Associates. Read more about Michele.
https://californialutheranhomes.org/about/board/

01/05/2024

Living Lutheran, the ELCA publication, took note of our efforts to assist teens aging out of the foster care system in California.

“Our partnership with two non-profits that aid foster youth furthers our mission to provide affordable housing to vulnerable populations, as well as to model the benefits of collaborations among faith-based nonprofit organizations and agencies.”
— Deacon Nancy Ackerman, CLH President and CEO

Read the full story: https://www.livinglutheran.org/2024/01/a-place-to-call-home/

10/11/2023

Congratulations to our partner, the Biddy Mason Charitable Foundation, on its successful golf outing. “We were happy to be a sponsor,” said CLH President and CEO Nancy Ackerman, pictured (top photo far left), with Pat Williams and Toni Livingston of Operating Engineers Local 501. CLH’s Board Chair Robert Chillison, and Pastor Bill Hurst, Vice Chair, are pictured in the golf cart.

09/27/2023

There's still time to register!

“Lowering the Anxiety of Your Congregation” workshops take place next month. Learn how to understand and recognize anxiety and conflict in your congregation, and discover tools for working together in healthy ways. Sponsored by California Lutheran Homes and Living the Resurrection.
• October 7, 9 a.m. to noon, Holy Trinity, Thousand Oaks
• October 14, 9 a.m. to noon, First Lutheran, Torrance

For more information or to register:

Living the Resurrection helps congregations join God's mission through insightful blogs that connect Scripture to the challenges of congregational life and workshops that use Appreciative Inquiry to increase a congregation's vitality in specific ways. Our team is ready to help your congregation.