If developing affordable housing is like playing in an orchestra, John B. Cruz III, Larry Curtis, Frances Ferguson, Joy Horak-Brown, and Stephen Whyte are the conductors who set the tempo and bring the many pieces together.
They’ve created thousands of affordable homes and built institutions that stand as industry models. For their enduring impact, they are being inducted into AHF’s Affordable Housing Hall of Fame this year.
Cruz is president and CEO of Cruz Cos., which has developed more than 2,000 affordable housing units throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic and has hundreds more in the works. A leader in developing mixed-income, mixed-use communities, the company is one of the largest minority-owned construction and real estate organizations in the United States.
Curtis is president and managing partner of WinnDevelopment, one of the largest affordable housing firms in the country. He has been instrumental in helping the company grow from 3,000 units in 1986 to more than 116,000 units, which Winn currently has under management in 27 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. His work has included pioneering the transformation of vacant historic buildings into vibrant affordable housing communities.
Ferguson has been a critical force for affordable housing nationally and in Texas. For more than two decades, she worked at NeighborWorks America, launching its multifamily housing initiative and helping develop key programs, including Strength Matters, the nonprofit housing industry’s go-to source for financial learning. Ferguson also established Foundation Communities in Austin, Texas, one of the nation’s premier nonprofit housing developers. More recently, she helped launch the Texas Housing Conservancy, a first-of-its-kind equity fund focused on preserving workforce housing in the state.
Horak-Brown has led New Hope Housing in Houston for 30 years, growing the nonprofit from 40 units to more than 2,000. Under her leadership, the organization has provided housing and services to families, seniors, and the formerly unhoused. Under Horak-Brown’s leadership, New Hope Housing has been instrumental in reducing homelessness in Houston.
Whyte is the founder and CEO of Vitus, which has developed or redeveloped more than 25,000 units in 200 properties across 36 states. He is a leader in the preservation and redevelopment of the nation’s affordable housing stock, taking on complex transactions that involve public-private partnerships, specialized funding sources, and multi-layered regulations. Throughout his career, he has been at the forefront of developing new approaches to financing and operating affordable housing, including the use of alternative energy strategies. His many industry roles include being a former chair of the Urban Land Institute’s Affordable/Workforce Housing Council.
The honorees will be recognized during an awards ceremony at AHF Live, Nov. 16-18, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.
Read more about the 2026 inductees below.
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Cruz Doesn’t Take No for an Answer
The affordable housing pioneer has spent more than 50 years breaking barriers, strengthening communities, and creating opportunities for the next generation.
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Curtis Proves the Power of Nice
The WinnDevelopment chairman has built a career on relationships, hard work, and an ability to find housing opportunities others overlook.
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Ferguson’s Far-Reaching Influence on Affordable Housing
After shaping several notable organizations, the longtime leader enters the Hall of Fame.
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Horak-Brown Gives Back to Houston
The longtime leader of New Hope Housing enters the Affordable Housing Hall of Fame.
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Whyte a Force for Preservation
The Vitus leader has built a company known for tackling complex deals and preserving affordable housing for years to come.