SEATTLE—Sept. 6, 2016—The Seattle City Council today confirmed Seattle Mayor Ed Murray’s appointment of Ahmed Abdi to the Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) Board of Commissioners. The seven-member Board of Commissioners includes five at-large positions and two SHA resident positions. Abdi will serve in one of the resident positions. Commissioners are appointed to four-year terms.
The Board has oversight on SHA policies and approves the agency’s annual budget. Commissioners are also responsible for hiring the executive director, a position currently held by Andrew J. Lofton. “Mr. Abdi brings substantial community engagement experience and has done significant work related to economic progress for low-income people,” Lofton said. “He is a resident of NewHolly, and I am excited that he is joining the Board.”
Abdi is an Outreach Manager at Fair Work Center where he is responsible for organizing and conducting workshops for community partner organizations around King County. He also helps coordinate the Fair Work Collaborative, a coalition of 10 organizations committed to collaboratively educating workers on labor standards. Abdi previously held positions with SEIU 775, Pastoralist Girls Initiative, Working Washington, African Diaspora of Washington, Somali American Public Advocacy Committee, Crest Services, and Jewish Vocational Services. He volunteers at East African Community Services and serves on the board of African Diaspora of Washington.
Abdi is replacing former resident commissioner Aser Ashkir. He will join current board members Deborah Canavan Thiele (chair), Emily Abbey (vice-chair), Dr. Paula Houston, David Moseley, Zachary Pullin and Jermaine Smiley.