Dan Wu’s Retirement Leaves Legacy Of Quality Low-Income Housing
SPOTLIGHT
When Dan Wu began working for Charities Housing in 1995 as a Project Manager, the organization owned three properties with 176 units. Wu retires in May as the Executive Director of Charities Housing, leaving a legacy of great expansion in affordable housing opportunities. Current housing units now number 1,452 plus 229 under construction. And an additional 1,411 units are in the development pipeline over the next five to seven years.
“We house those who are most in need and create great places for people to call home. Just because people don’t have resources, they still deserve safe and affordable places to live,” Wu said. “I firmly believe our contributions are essential to the creation of healthy communities.”
Catholic Charities established the Division of Housing Development and Services in 1990 and formed Charities Housing Development Corporation of Santa Clara County (Charities Housing) in 1993 to address the lack of safe and affordable housing opportunities in the community. Current residents of Charities Housing’s 34 facilities include low-income families, single adults and seniors, and those with disabilities. All properties are professionally managed to compassionately assist residents with their needs. The organization, which currently employs 70 staff members, maintains a reputation in the community for quality construction with limited resources while still achieving attractive modern designs. “The public expects more from us as we develop these properties in partnership with local governments and residents,” Wu adds.
“Not only is Dan a person of incredible integrity and honesty, his real strength as a real estate developer is that he is a smart risk taker,” according to Chris Block, who preceded Wu as the founding Executive Director of Charities Housing and the two have remained close colleagues over the years. “Some less successful developers don’t have this skill. Because of Dan’s approach, Charities Housing has grown exponentially under his leadership.”
Wu’s impressive academic credentials earned him the nickname of “The Professor.” He is a licensed architect, licensed real estate appraiser, holds a master’s degree in real estate, and post-grad certification in real estate leadership from Harvard University Graduate School of Design. In addition to his professional expertise, the “people side” of real estate development is what has kept him going for the past 26 years. Wu recalls early on in his work when a resident unexpectedly stopped by his office: “He poked his head in on a Friday afternoon, two weeks after he’d moved into a building we’d just opened. He wanted to thank us for ‘giving him a second chance on life’ and then he left. I never saw him again. But it was all I needed to keep doing what I was doing to make a difference.”
In Tribute To Dan Wu’s Amazing Work, He Was Named As The Honorary Colonel Of Our Inaugural Cornhole Tournament Held In April. It’s Not Too Late To Recognize Dan With A Gift To Catholic Charities. Please Visit: Bit.Ly/ColonelofCornhole
