April Housing, a real estate portfolio company launched by Blackstone, today announced appointing Perica Bell as its head of preservation, according to a press release.
Bell will bring 20 years of experience to the organization, which focuses on affordable housing across the U.S.. She will oversee its commercial real estate finance, development, strategy and capital markets and report to CEO Alice Carr.
“Perica will lead the advancement and implementation of our strategy, unlocking new paths to preserving our nation’s affordable housing supply,” said Carr.
Before April, Bell held leadership positions at MUFG Union Bank and Jamboree Housing Corporation, where she worked in the debt and equity, multifamily and affordable housing industries. She also currently serves on the City of Signal Hill (CA) Planning Commission.
“April Housing has built a unique platform around a passionate team dedicated to serving their residents and communities,” said Bell in the statement. “I am excited to work alongside these talented individuals and contribute to the efforts underway to address the nation’s affordable housing crisis.”
April’s recent leadership appointments include: Ben Finley, managing director and head of transitions; Louise Nelson, general counsel; Keosha Burns, head of communications; and Jana Barbe, senior advisor.
In other recent proptech news, Bellwether Enterprise Real Estate Capital LLC (BWE), a commercial and multifamily mortgage banking company, closed a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 221(d)(4) loan of over $74 million. The Wing, the all-women co-working company, announced Tuesday that it was permanently closing after six years of being in business, citing an inability to recover from “increasing global economic challenges” during the COVID-19 pandemic.