The name ERNA (er-nuh), meaning eagle, reflects our commitment to lead with strength, determination, and a steady focus on building communities that endure.

For more than 24 years, founder Lila Laviano has built a distinguished career advancing affordable, workforce, and community-centered housing. Her work spans the full housing continuum—development, finance, preservation, and compliance—bringing clarity and momentum to complex projects that sit at the intersection of policy, community needs, and public-private partnership.

Lila’s foundation in public and nonprofit housing shaped a disciplined, outcomes-driven approach to delivery. As Housing Director for a Los Angeles–based nonprofit, she led the development of 140 affordable units in Los Angeles, assembling more than $80 million in layered financing through Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, tax-exempt bonds, CDBG, AHP, former CRA, and HCD programs. She also established Los Angeles County’s first Contract Compliance and Monitoring Unit, creating accountability frameworks that ensured regulatory alignment across City, County and State jurisdictions ensuring long-term stewardship of public financing.

In 2010, Lila founded Erna Enterprises to apply this systems-level expertise to innovative housing models that accelerate delivery while preserving affordability. Through strategic use of public incentives, private capital, and streamlined entitlement pathways, Erna has supported the compliance, oversight, and successful management of thousands of affordable units and more than $800 million in housing assets—consistently aligning projects with state mandates and local housing priorities.

Beyond development, Lila is a trusted subject matter expert in affordable housing partnership disputes and regulatory compliance. Her advisory work helps public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private developers navigate complexity, resolve challenges, and protect long-term affordability—always with a focus on integrity, accountability, and community impact.