Beverly Fretz-Brown
FRETZ-BROWN--Beverly, a leader in developing housing for low-income urban, rural and immigrant families in California, died of cancer on September 12 in Sacramento, where she had been director of policy and housing development for the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency. She was 67 years old. Born in Philadelphia, she was a graduate of Chatham College and Indiana University, where she studied political science and development with an emphasis on Africa. After field work in Nigeria, she joined the Housing Assistance Council in Washington DC, where she directed national water and wastewater projects. "I can't think of a significant housing policy in the city or county of Sacramento that doesn't have Bev's hand print on it," said Stan Keasling, CEO of the Rural Community Assistance Corporation. A multi-family housing program in Yuba County, Beverly Terrace, is named after her. The program won a statewide award as the best of its kind. In Sacramento she helped turn a crime-ridden 500-unit development into 476 award-winning affordable homes for families and seniors. She was also instrumental in changing a law that allowed discrimination against poor neighborhoods by not providing them with water service. Ms. Fretz-Brown is survived by her husband, Marcus Brown; three daughters, Jessica, Anna-Martha and Barbara; a brother, Philip Fretz, of Milton, DE: a sister, Barbara Crossette of Upper Black Eddy, PA and two grandchildren. Remembrances may be made to Living Beyond Breast Cancer, 354 W. Lancaster Ave., Ste. 224, Haverford, PA 19041.