MIAMI Association of Realtors chief legal counsel Evian White De Leon. Courtesy photo

The Miami Association of Realtors' new chief legal counsel Evian White De Leon brings a variety of experience and knowledge of real estate law, including affordable housing.

White De Leon most recently was deputy director of affordable housing and youth homelessness advocacy at research nonprofit Miami Homes for All Inc.

Miami-Dade County is plagued by a shortage of affordable housing, both homes and apartments. Most developers have opted to build high-end projects while household income hasn't kept up with housing costs, leaving many to pay over the benchmark 30% of their income on housing.

White De Leon and the Realtors association have worked together in the past on affordable housing.

Her new post "allows me the opportunity to continue to advance my passion, which has always been making my vibrant hometown of Miami a place where all residents have the opportunity to thrive," White De Leon said in a news release.

Her duties include overseeing professional standards and grievances, supporting the government affairs and public policy team, and legal education for the association's 52,000 members.

White De Leon started her legal career as a litigator with Legal Services of Greater Miami Inc. for nearly seven years. She also was executive vice president of strategic partnerships and programs at Miami Beach Community Health Center Inc., which has locations on Miami Beach and in North Miami.

She just finished her term as president of the Young Lawyers Section of the Dade County Bar Association and served for three years as an investigative member of a Florida Bar grievance committee.

Teresa King Kinney, CEO of the Miami Association of Realtors, said White De Leon's experience will be an asset to the organization.

"Evian brings vast knowledge, skills and expertise on a variety of subject areas relevant to our organization, the housing industry and association management," Kinney said in a news release.