The Asset Management Department is focused on improving the agency’s use of its real estate and other physical assets and on maintaining the condition and financial viability of those assets. With other departments, Asset Management works to develop and implement policies affecting either the physical and/or financial viability of the agency’s assets. The department looks for increased efficiencies in property management models and methods to ensure SHA’s properties meet agency financial and social goals. The department incorporates environmental stewardship into daily practices and long-term decision-making to foster more cost-effective investments, inventive approaches to complex sustainability challenges, healthier working and living environments for staff and tenants, and broader environmental impact within the community. The department also works with limited partnership asset managers and makes strategic recommendations regarding capital assets, cash flow, resident services and other factors affecting the real estate portfolio and SHA’s residents.
Bobby Coleman, Director
The Continuous Improvement team, part of the Executive Department, partners with SHA departments to bring about positive change for residents, participants and staff by leading process improvement projects, coaching and advising on strategic planning, process mapping and implementation as well as training on lean and other methodologies.
Ray Singh, Manager
The Communications Department, part of the Executive Department, ensures that the Seattle Housing Authority’s tenants, partners, constituents, stakeholders, commissioners and employees are kept informed about, and have opportunities to participate in, the activities, strategies and policies of the agency.The department advises and supports other agency departments regarding specific issues and initiatives, and also manages centralized communications such as the website, annual report, press releases, media engagement and social media. Communications oversees production of The Voice, an e-newsletter that is sent twice monthly to residents in SHA housing and tenants living elsewhere with an SHA Housing Choice Voucher. In addition, the department produces Building Community, a periodic e-newsletter with general interest information for members of the wider community. Both newsletters are on the agency’s website at seattlehousing.org.
Kerry Coughlin, Director
The Community Services group plans, develops, seeks partnerships for and oversees the provision of referrals, service coordination and direct service to SHA’s low-income residents and voucher participants. Services focus on education, employment and self- sufficiency/stability, health and mental health case management, and advocacy services. Youth services include tutoring, recreation and educational opportunities. Community Services, part of the Housing Operations Department, also manages SHA’s Community Builder Program to involve residents in the life and betterment of their community, and in decision and policy making on SHA activities and programs that affect them. Community Services contracts for interpretation services as needed, which are integral to the effectiveness of these programs.
Carol Bell, Administrator
The Development Department is accountable for advancing the agency’s strategic goal to increase the availability of low-income, work force and affordable housing in safe and thriving communities. The department seeks to increase the number of affordable housing units, both rental units and home ownership, through a variety of programs and partnerships. The Development Department is responsible for planning new affordable housing and redevelopment; developing community amenities such as open areas, gardening and community services spaces; managing community engagement regarding development; implementing development projects; overseeing the sale of land; supporting neighborhood associations; and participating in local and regional planning meetings that may involve potential new low-income and affordable housing development opportunities. Examples include the redevelopment of the High Point, Rainier Vista and NewHolly neighborhoods and, more recently, Yesler, into vibrant mixed-income communities.
Terry Galiney, Director
Under the guidance of the Board of Commissioners, the Executive Department provides overall leadership and direction for the Seattle Housing Authority. The office of the Executive Director oversees the operations of the Authority; provides support to the SHA Board of Commissioners; maintains SHA’s government, community and business relations; and provides state and national leadership on issues regarding low-income housing. In addition to the Executive Director, the department includes the Deputy Executive Director, Intergovernmental Relations, Office of the General Counsel, Communications Office and the Office of Policy and Strategic Initiatives.
Rod Brandon, Executive Director
The Finance and Administration Department consists of seven operating groups: Accounting and Treasury, Management, Budgeting and Financial Analysis, Purchasing and Contract Administration, Housing Finance, Risk Management and Business Services. The department is responsible for financial stewardship of SHA which includes financial policies, accounting, banking, investments, treasury, debt management, financial statements and compliance with financial reporting requirements; annual audit reviews, conformance with bond and contractual obligations, and compliance with state and federal regulations; budget processes and preparation, review of Congressional funding proposals and economic trends, and monitoring of budget performance against established program goals; obtaining, auditing and reviewing insurance policies and coverages for SHA and its business affiliates, claims, and risk management and reduction; purchasing, procurement policies and compliance, and contract administration for goods, services and construction; administration of Section 3, Davis-Bacon and social equity programs; and administration of the agency’s central reception, travel and cash management functions.
Jared Cummer, Chief Financial Officer
The Housing Choice Voucher Department is responsible for managing all aspects of SHA’s voucher program, which enables tenants to rent with landlords throughout the city. The department maintains a voucher waitlist, certifies applicant eligibility, issues vouchers, administers utility allowances and establishes voucher payment standards – the subsidy that SHA pays toward rent. The department also recruits landlords that will accept voucher holders as tenants, works with landlords on federally required inspections and administers payment to landlords. Support for tenant participants includes housing counseling and programs to prepare participants to be successful in the rental market. The department administers special voucher programs for specific populations, such as veterans, and administers contracts with other housing providers, such as nonprofits, thereby playing a crucial role in the city’s continuum of affordable transitional, service-enriched and other types of housing. The HCV Department engages in coalitions with other organizations and federal, state and local governments to help increase options for affordable housing, particularly for homeless or disabled individuals, and underserved families.
Alice Kimbowa, Director
The Housing Operations Department manages and maintains SHA’s portfolio of more than 8,000 units of housing, operated under various programs including Low-Income Public Housing, Seattle Senior Housing Program and Special Portfolio. Properties include high and mid-rise buildings, townhomes, scattered site multi-unit and single-family homes, and mixed-income, family oriented communities. Housing Operations, the largest department at SHA, oversees admissions and leasing, property maintenance and repairs, and waste management. The department also has a Community Services division, which coordinates programs for tenants to become engaged and active in their SHA communities and arranges partnerships with programs that offer SHA tenants health services, educational and economic improvement opportunities, youth programs and other supportive services.
Dave Wellings, Director
The Human Resources Department provides comprehensive, progressive programs to meet the needs of SHA staff. Human Resources is responsible for core employment services such as recruitment and selection, job classification and compensation, performance management, employee relations, agency-wide temporary staffing and employment records. In addition, HR oversees SHA’s Race and Social Justice Initiative, staff training and development, benefits administration, labor relations, safety and health, emergency management and employee recognition. HR engages in best practices for employers and ensures compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws. HR is committed to a productive, safe, welcoming and non-discriminatory work environment for employees.
Evelyn Correa, Director
The Information Technology group provides technology solutions to support efficient operation of the agency and ensure staff can communicate effectively with each other, the public, partners, applicants for housing, tenants, landlords, vendors, contractors and other stakeholders. IT, a division of the Finance and Administration Department, consists of two operating groups: Infrastructure and Business Applications. IT oversees technology applications and operating system software in use at SHA and the computers, telephones and other ancillary equipment used by agency staff. IT runs scheduled computer processes related to financial and property management operations. Information Technology is dedicated to ensuring a stable, reliable, cost-effective and secure technology infrastructure that enables uninterrupted access by staff to perform business requirements.
Steve McDowell, Chief Information Officer
The Intergovernmental Relations office manages issues and concerns for all intergovernmental relations on legislative, budgetary, and constituent issues with Federal, State, and local governments, including issues with multi-million dollar impacts on SHA revenues and operations.
Lisa Wolters, Director
The Legal Department is part of the Executive Department and provides legal analyses and advice on all matters related to SHA’s programs and initiatives. The department provides representation in judicial and administrative proceedings; prepares pleadings, contracts, leases, policies and other legal documents; responds to public records requests; and advises all SHA departments on a variety of legal issues such as personnel and labor relations, property management, landlord-tenant issues, compliance with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations, and real estate finance and development. The Legal Department manages grievance and fair hearing proceedings and hearing officers, and investigates potential fraudulent activity related to SHA. The department also provides advice, guidance and training on disability and accommodation issues.
Charles Lind, General Counsel
SHA’s Office of Policy and Strategic Initiatives develops collaborative solutions, supports data-driven decision-making, and tests and evaluates strategic initiatives. OPSI’s areas of focus range across a spectrum of issues, including housing as a platform for youth educational achievement, adult economic advancement and access to opportunity. OPSI, which is part of the Executive Department, leverages the agency’s Moving to Work status (a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development designation for select high-performing housing authorities nationwide) and collaborative research with academics and other public institutions to develop and apply public policy and social science insights toward fulfillment of SHA’s mission and strategic plan.
The Purchasing Department, part of the Finance and Administration Department, is responsible for all of the agency’s procurement activities. It implements procurement guidelines, solicits bids, initiates requests for proposals, issues purchase orders and establishes contracts for construction, consultant and professional services, and the purchase of goods and services. Purchasing oversees administration of Section 3, Davis-Bacon and other programs to ensure social equity in the contracting of goods and services. The department is committed to the development and administration of procurement policies and procedures that ensure fair and competitive purchasing practices and compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations.
Diana Peterson, Procurement and Contracts Manager