We here at ^Housing Futures believe in highlighting the leaders who fight and work for the provision of affordable housing around the world.  Below you will learn about 5 very important affordable housing leaders working in the US state of Oregon.

Michael Buonocore- CEO Home Forward formerly Portland Housing Authority-Michael became Home Forward’s executive director in October 2014 after serving as deputy executive director, responsible for the property management, rent assistance, and real estate development departments.  He began his Home Forward career in 2001 as a resident services manager, going on to direct policy and planning, where he was the principal architect of the agency’s strategic directions and planning.  He also designed Home Forward’s innovative rent reform program.  His background includes leading operations, including community organizing, as associate director of Sisters Of The Road, a homeless services agency.  Earlier, he was health services manager for the Clackamas County Children’s Commission and program supervisor for a residential care facility for developmentally disabled youth.

Jacob Fox: Executive Director Lane County Housing Authority- 

Jacob Fox currently serves as the Executive Director for the Housing and Community Services Agency of Lane County. He is grateful for the opportunities he has had to transform organizations and serve low income citizens over his 18 year career as an affordable housing leader. Jacob started his career in the mid-1990’s and has worked for three different housing authorities in numerous capacities including resident services, property management, asset management, development and executive management.  He also worked for the City of Portland where he directed investments in ending homelessness, affordable home-ownership and affordable housing developments using general fund, CDBG, HOME and Tax Increment Financing. Jacob is active in housing policy deliberation and legislative advocacy at the local, state, regional and national levels.

Adolph A. “Val” Valfre, Jr- CEO Washington County Housing Department-

Valfre has held the position of interim director for the county department for the past several months. Prior to his interim appointment, he served for four years as the department’s assistant director. The department has a mission to provide affordable housing opportunities to help break the cycle of poverty and improve the quality of life in the community.  Valfre came to Washington County after 11 years of service to local housing authorities and community development departments, primarily with the City of Tucson, Ariz., and the West Valley Housing Authority in Dallas, Ore. Before his government experience, Valfre served for 24 years in the U.S. Air Force where he rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel. Valfre holds master’s degrees in public administration, national security and strategic studies, business and human resource management. He also earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Los Angeles.

Dale Inslee- Executive Director Northeast Oregon Housing Authority-

NEOHA Director of Asset Management, Dale Inslee was appointed by the Board of Commissioners to succeed Maggie LaMont as the Executive Director for NEOHA.    Northeast Oregon Housing Authority is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Baker, Grant, Union, and Wallowa Counties.  Dale oversees the agency and its voucher and rental housing programs.

Shannon Callahan, Interim Bureau Director Portland Housing Bureau-

Shannon Callahan has worked closely with the Portland Housing Bureau since 2013 in her role as Policy Director for Commissioner Dan Saltzman. During her 10+ years with Commissioner Saltzman’s office, she has worked on a variety of programs and policies – enacting local payday loan regulation, creating the City’s first one-stop service center for domestic violence victims (now known as the Gateway Center), redesigning the Fire and Police Disability and Pension System and Board, and assisting with a wide range of housing policy initiatives including the affordable housing bond, inclusionary zoning, and first-step tenant protections. Prior to joining the City, Callahan worked as a staff attorney on consumer protection legislation and provided advice to tenants on landlord/tenant law. She is a community college graduate, earned a BA at Evergreen State College, and a JD from Lewis & Clark College of Law.

Conclusion: Do you know other leaders within the housing industry in Oregon?  Please email us at info@housing-futures.org.