Life brings changes. My favorite bands never stay together. My favorite baseball team will have a new lineup come spring. And, as much as I want my family to be around forever, that’s not going to be the case.
For the affordable housing industry, there will be some big changes this year. Longtime leaders Pam Goodman of Beacon Communities, Joe Hagan of National Equity Fund, and Hal Keller of the Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing are among those who’ve announced they’re retiring from the companies they’ve helped build. Their departures will leave a big void in leadership. I hope they’ll be around in some capacity, and perhaps they’ll take on new roles.
Each of them has helped me, answering questions, taking part in AHF Live. I’m grateful, and I’ll miss them. Thank you Pam, Joe, Hal, and all the others who’ve recently retired, including Sarah Carpenter of the Vermont Housing Finance Agency and Mike Alvidrez of Skid Row Housing Trust. The industry is lonelier without you.
It seems like there have been more retirements lately as well as people just stepping away from their longtime positions. It should serve as a reminder to embrace the experience of industry veterans as well as prepare the next generation. Change happens.
Other random thoughts:
• Government shutdowns shouldn’t be allowed. They’re just maddening.
• As part of an agreement that avoids a federal takeover of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), New York City is committing at least $2.2 billion over the next 10 years to correct serious health and safety hazards in its public housing. I’m sure there are plenty of places to point the finger, but here’s one: Since 2001, NYCHA has had its federal funding cut by $2.7 billion, according to The New York Times.
• As part of an agreement that avoids a federal takeover of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), New York City is committing at least $2.2 billion over the next 10 years to correct serious health and safety hazards in its public housing. I’m sure there are plenty of places to point the finger, but here’s one: Since 2001, NYCHA has had its federal funding cut by $2.7 billion, according to The New York Times.
• California’s new governor, Gavin Newsom, isn’t messing around. He’s suing Huntington Beach, alleging the city is standing in the way of affordable housing and not complying with state housing laws. Time to play hard ball.
• The annual point-in-time homeless count recently took place across the country. We won’t know the results for a little while, but my own informal “eyeball test” in recent months tells me the numbers will be higher in my Bay Area city. I hope I’m wrong.
