We here at ^Housing Futures believe in sharing the stories of those who have dedicated their lifes to affordable housing.  In many parts of the country, we have smaller housing authorities that are working hard to make sure their members and residents are living in housing that is safe, decent and sanitary.  Lets take a look a 5 EDs you should know

Sunny Shaw- Housing Authority of the City of Pocatello (Idaho)- Sunny Shaw was sworn in as Senior Vice President of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) in Pittsburgh, Penn. on October 28, 2017, and will serve in that position for the next two years.  Seventeen years ago, Shaw started at the Idaho Housing & Finance Association as a receptionist, and worked her way up to become the agency’s Branch Office Supervisor in their Twin Falls Branch. In 2010, she became the Executive Director at HACP. Since that time, Shaw has led her team to increase their voucher portfolio by 20 percent and their units owned or managed by 21 percent. The agency was also awarded a NAHRO Award of Excellence this year for its A Book For Every Child Initiative.

Steve Merritt- Norwood MA Housing Authority- Merritt has served as Executive Director of the Norwood Housing Authority for the past 13 years. Prior to that, he was Senior Housing Manager for the Cambridge Housing Authority and a Commissioner of the Needham Housing Authority. He was NAHRO’s Senior Vice President from 2013 to 2015 and is a Past President of the New England Regional Council of NAHRO. Merritt is also active in NAHRO’s Massachusetts Chapter, having served as President of MassNAHRO from 2007 to 2009. He is currently Chairman of the MassNAHRO Workers’ Compensation Insurance Group, Inc., and a member of MassNAHRO’s Housing and Legislative Committee.

Annette Sanderson- The Housing Authority of the City of Hartford- Ms. Sanderson has served as ED  since 2012.  She previously served as the General Counsel of the Authority from 2008 until 2012.  She has previously served as the Executive Director of the Capital City Economic Development Authority (“CCEDA”).   Ms. Sanderson has also been previously employed by Cigna Investment Management as a Vice-President/Asset Manager and by the Office of the State Treasurer as an Assistant Investment Officer.Ms. Sanderson currently serves as the President of the Connecticut Chapter of the National Association of Redevelopment Officials (ConnNAHRO).

Ailrick D. Young, Sr- Laurel Housing Authority- Ailrick was elected to serve as President of the Southeastern Regional Council (SERC) of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials in June 2013.  Since January 1, 2014 Ailrick has served as Executive Director of the City of Laurel Housing Authority. The Housing Authority was established in 1937 and has a public housing portfolio of over 450 units. He has been employed there since May 1994. The Authority also manages a number of other programs that assist tenants who reside at its properties and has also partnered with a private developer on several Housing Tax Credit Developments.

Conclusion: Can you let us know other leaders of smaller housing authorities we should highlight?  Email us at info@housing-futures.org