SEATTLE — March 23, 2010 — Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn has announced that the City is accepting applications from residents interested in serving on the Seattle Housing Authority's Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Sybil Bailey's term ends this month, and she has decided not to seek re-appointment.

Residents interested in applying for the position should fill out a Prospective Resident Commissioner Profile and send it by May 1, 2010 to: Mark Matassa, Communications Director, Mayor's Office, City of Seattle, P.O. Box 94749, Seattle, WA 98124-4749.

In her letter to Mayor McGinn, Ms. Bailey commented on her time on the Board, "I have enjoyed my time on the Board, and have received much satisfaction from the wonderful progress we have achieved for low-income households across Seattle during the past four years. Now I am eager to get back to serving more directly the people in my building, Denny Terrace, and the residents of other SHA communities."

After May 1, applications will be reviewed by a group including a member of the Mayor's office, the chair of the Seattle Housing Authority Board, a representative of the resident community, a member of the City of Seattle's Office of Housing and a member of Seattle’s Department of Neighborhoods. This group will select and interview candidates, recommending three finalists for the mayor to consider.

Once Mayor McGinn has made his selection, the person will be nominated for appointment and will go before the City Council's Housing, Human Services, Health and Culture Committee, chaired by Councilmember Nick Licata.  If this committee approves the appointment, the nomination will be forwarded to the full City Council for confirmation.  Once confirmed by City Council, the appointee will begin their term of service on the Seattle Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.

Questions about the process may be directed to Mark Matassa at 206-233-2655 or mark.matassa@seattle.gov.