Chairman of the Affordable Housing Alliance Announces Retirement

NEPTUNE, NEW JERSEY – Ray Smith, Chairman of the Affordable Housing Alliance’s (AHA) Board of Directors, has recently decided to step down from his current role.

His colleagues at the AHA applaud his 18 years of voluntary service to the mission of the agency. Ray Smith held positions as Chairman of the Property Management Committee, member of the Construction Committee, Fund Development Committee, Nominating Committee, and his most recent term as Chairman of the Board of Directors, a role he assumed after a long and successful tenure of the recently deceased Frank “Jay” Patock.

Ray recently spearheaded a fundraiser that brought summer toys to hundreds of kids trapped in quarantine by the COVID-19 virus and had facilitated several property donations that will be used for future development activities of the Alliance.

Ray Smith is the Founder and CEO of Stafford Smith Realty, a commercial realty specialist with its main office on Broad Street in Shrewsbury. He has been equally engaged in real estate development in the Palm Beach area of Florida, as well.  Ray has also been on the Board of Directors of the Red Cross, the Girl Scouts, and the Red Bank Rotary.

About the AHA

Started in 1991 to address the overwhelming need for quality, affordable housing in Monmouth County, the AHA has grown from an initial grant of $25,000 to a private 501(c)3 non-profit organization with over $20M in operations annually. Founding Director Donna Blaze, now CEO, leads a staff of over 80 dedicated employees augmented by volunteers and non-profit community partners.

Our work has been recognized at local, state, and national levels, including earning NeighborWorks America’s highest rating as an Exemplary Member. We are proud to be a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) and to collaborate with NJ municipalities to successfully create affordable housing for moderate and low-income families.

The AHA strives to move lives forward with strength, optimism, and housing resources. It is our goal to have everyone we help walk away better than when they came to us.