When Angela Jimenez shows up to work each day, she’s reminded of where her own story began. As a child, she grew up in High Point, North Carolina’s Public Housing, surrounded by families who worked hard to build better lives.
Years later, she returned to lead the same organization that once gave her family a home. In November 2010, Jimenez made history as the first woman and first former resident to serve as CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of High Point.
The agency has provided safe, affordable housing for local families since it was founded in 1940. More than a decade later, Jimenez continues to guide HPHA with a focus on creating access and opportunity for residents.
Under her direction, the agency’s initiatives have expanded beyond housing alone to also promote education, financial security, and independence. Each initiative is designed to help program participants move toward a stronger, more stable future.
Today, HPHA manages a variety of homeownership, community, and support programs that reach and change the lives of numerous families and individuals throughout High Point.
A Career Built on Service
Jimenez earned her high school diploma in Gainesville, Florida, before joining the United States Army. After completing her education at Brookstone College and later at High Point University—where she earned both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Business Administration—she went on to complete her military service.
Her career with HPHA began in 2003, when she joined the agency and served in several different areas. She was later promoted to Chief Operating Officer before accepting the position of Executive Director of the Rockingham Housing Authority. In 2010, she returned home to High Point to serve as CEO.
Over the years, she has earned several industry certifications, including HUD credentials in Public Housing, Section 8, Tax Credits, Mixed Finance, and Housing Development Finance Professional. She also holds designations in property management, housing counseling, and real estate brokerage.
In addition to her professional expertise, Jimenez has served on numerous local and regional boards, including the City of High Point Planning and Zoning Commission, the Salvation Army Advisory Board, and the United Way of Greater High Point. She’s also a member of the National Association of Female Executives.
A graduate of Leadership High Point and City Government 101, Jimenez has earned statewide recognition for her dedication to service and professional achievement. Her awards include, but are not limited to, Business Woman Extraordinaire of High Point, Women Pioneers of the Triad, and the Carl Chavis YMCA Minority Achievers’ Corporate Executive award.
Legacy Ridge: Turning History into Renewal
At the center of HPHA’s efforts are the neighborhoods its families call home. Each development is built with quality and affordability in mind, ensuring that every resident has access to a safe, comfortable space.
Most recently, that mission came to life with the opening of Legacy Ridge, a new 100-home affordable housing community built on the site of the former Daniel Brooks Homes. The original complex, completed in 1942, was one of the city’s oldest public housing communities and had served generations of families over more than 70 years.
When it came time for redevelopment, HPHA sought to honor the history of Daniel Brooks Homes and the families who once called it home. The name “Legacy Ridge” was chosen to honor six African American leaders who have made the city of High Point into what it is today. Angela Jimenez, Housing Authority of the City of High Point CEO, was among those honored.
The $42 million project was funded through a combination of local, federal, and private investments. Legacy Ridge now includes 32 one-bedroom, 56 two-bedroom, and 12 three-bedroom apartments for families earning up to 60 percent of the area’s median income. Of those homes, 28 are reserved for project-based rental assistance.
Around the property, there’s a playground and a picnic shelter with an open grill, places where neighbors can meet and kids can play. The clubhouse features a fitness center, a computer lab, a community room, and leasing offices for staff.
Programs That Promote Independence
Beyond construction and redevelopment, HPHA’s programs are also designed to empower participants through education, financial literacy, and employment support.
The Family Self-Sufficiency Program helps participants set and achieve goals such as paying down debt, completing school, or purchasing a home for the first time. Participants work with case managers to develop individualized plans, and as their income rises, HPHA deposits part of their rent increase into an escrow account. Once the program is complete, those funds can be used toward expenses such as tuition, transportation, or a down payment.
Through the Comprehensive Housing Counseling and Homeownership Program, participants receive one-on-one guidance on budgeting, credit repair, and foreclosure prevention. The program also participates in an annual housing fair where families can meet lenders and nonprofit partners who can help them take their next steps toward owning a home.
Across the city, the authority manages 900 public housing units, 1,872 tenant-based Housing Choice Vouchers, and 101 Section 8 New Construction units. These properties include single-family homes, townhouses, duplexes, and high-rise apartments for seniors and those living with disabilities. Each one provides greater stability as residents build their futures.
Investing in the Next Generation
The Seeds-to-Success Scholarship Endowment created by HPHA’s Executive Roundtable Committee, helps young participantss continue their education after high school through a one time needs-based Rising Star or Seeds-to-Success Scholarship award. Each scholarship provides $500 to a student who maintains at least a 3.5 GPA, or 3.0 if no higher applicants are nominated.
Applicants must submit proof of community service, transcripts, and a short essay that describes their definition of success. The scholarship can be used for college or trade school expenses and is supported by donations to HPHA.
The Pillars of Fame program, established in 2005, recognizes former participants who have become leaders in thecommunity. Nominees must have lived in public housing or held a section 8 voucher, earned at least a high-school diploma or GED, and demonstrated outstanding civic leadership.
Once a year, inductees are honored at a ceremony and invited to mentor current participants. In 2010, Angela Jimenez was recognized as an honoree.
Joining Forces for a Better High Point
The Housing Authority’s work reaches far past its own properties into the wider community. Through collaboration with local, state, and federal partners, the organization connects residents with opportunities in education, employment, and homeownership.
Three affiliated organizations help advance that mission. Low Income Housing Opportunities, Inc. (LIHO) helps families on the path to ownership by developing and selling affordable homes. Empowering Lives and Building Foundations, Inc. (ELBF) offers educational and workforce programs that encourage self-sufficiency.
High Point Economic Opportunities, Inc. (HPEO) focuses on developing mixed-income housing that improves neighborhoods and supports economic growth across the city.
For HPHA, true impact comes from connection. The organization actively keeps the conversation going online, regularly sharing stories across social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
These posts highlight community events, youth programs, and participant achievements. From the “Real Life, Real Talk” youth forum to Seeds-to-Success recipients and neighborhood celebrations, each reflects the agency’s commitment to transparency, community, and encouragement.
These stories remind participants that public housing isn’t just about shelter, but about growth, connection, and opportunity.
Carrying the Legacy Forward
85 years after its founding, the Housing Authority of the City of High Point continues to provide safe and affordable housing while creating opportunities that help people build better lives. Under the guidance of Angela Jimenez, the organization has evolved into a network of programs that help families achieve long-term stability.
Through developments like Legacy Ridge and initiatives like Seeds-to-Success, Jimenez continues to guide the agency with a focus on empowerment and growth. Each project reflects HPHA’s belief that housing is not the destination but the beginning point for education, independence, and self-sufficiency.
Across High Point, that mission can be seen in the families who find strength in new homes, the participants who achieve milestones once out of reach, and the communities that continue to thrive because of the foundation HPHA helps build every day.
