EUGENE F. FORD

FORD Eugene F. Ford Eugene F. Ford, of Key Largo, Florida, passed away peacefully in his sleep early in the morning of Wednesday, October 21, 2015 at the age of 86. Gene was an affordable housing champion for the country and Washington, DC. He began his active career in housing and real estate with The Carey Winston Company in the early 50's. In 1966, he founded Mid-City Developers, Inc. which evolved into the current Mid-City Financial Corporation. Committed to dealing with the housing needs of people in need, the firm has developed, financed or facilitated the creation of over 40,000 units of affordable multifamily rental housing in the Washington DC and Baltimore metropolitan areas and is the largest private owner and operator of such housing in the Region. In 1973, Gene established Edgewood Management Corporation which today manages over 30,000 low and moderate income units for non-profit organizations, local Housing Authorities and private owners. Gene's use of creative financing and development planning technique for opportunities he then executed on, or helped others to execute, was legendary. Gene was the recipient of numerous honors and housing awards and dedicated much of his time in serving others through charitable and volunteer activities. He served as Founder and Chairman of the Community Preservation and Development Corporation as well as Chair and Board Member of the Institute for Responsible Housing Preservation. He also served on the Boards of the National Housing Conference, Victory Housing Corporation, Homes for America and the Federal City Council. In addition, Gene was a Founding Board Member on the EagleBank Holding Company Board, past Director of the Carroll Manor Nursing Home, Washington Urban League, McArthur Glen Realty, Urban Atlantic and Housing Policy Commission of the State of Maryland, and served as Chairman of the Governor's Committee on Policy for Housing Working Families in Maryland. He also sat on the Advisory Board of Fannie Mae. A longtime proponent of supportive service programs in housing, Gene believed that the current focus on the delivery of these services is a critical turning point in the lives of families and disadvantaged individuals. He once said, "The quality of the lives of the cities and of the families that live in them are inextricably woven together. Fostering change in either or both must be integrated within a broad urban strategy." His loving wife of more than 50 years, Alice Donohoe Ford predeceased him by four years. Gene is survived by three living children Gene Jr., Michael, and Mary. His daughter Louise passed away four years ago. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Jason Pauley, Madelaine Ford, Elizabeth Ford, Bryan Pauley, Daniel Lewis, and Francis Ford. Mr. Ford requested that any donations be sent to the Alice & Eugene Ford Foundation, Inc. a 501(c) (3) Foundation. Located at 7200 Wisconsin Ave., #903, Bethesda, MD 20814. A celebration of his life will be announced at a later date.A celebration of his life will be announced at a later date.