Mayor, Common Council Overhaul Housing Authority Board » Urban Milwaukee

By the end of November, most of the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM) board could be new faces.

The beleaguered public housing agency is a source of contempt for residents Southeastern Wisconsin Commonswhich launched a campaign against the agency in March 2023, leaving city hall officials frustrated.

The Common Council confirmed the first new member of HCAM’s board last week, and the council’s most powerful committee approved three new members on Monday, putting them in line for formal approval in late November. In addition, acting chairman of the board Brooke VandeBergwho is serving with an expired term, withdrew from the reappointment process and mayor Cavalier Johnson her reappointment withdrawn.

The citizen-led board runs the agency, which is affiliated with the city but largely funded by the federal government and subject to its oversight. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) currently has the agency under a corrective action plan and labels some of its practices as “at risk of serious fraud, waste and abuse.”

For the first time in years, the board is ready to return to full strength with seven members. The new members pledged to conduct a fair review of the agency, including the secretary-executive director Willie Hines, Jr.

The new members include: Karen Gotzlera Milwaukee resident who has consulted with housing authorities in other cities, Charlotte Hayslettan HR advisor and former HACM resident and employee, Jackie Burrella resident and community leader at HACM Westlawn Gardens complex and alderman Sharlen P Moore.

“I think there’s a lot more that needs to be done,” Gotzler said during her Oct. 21 nomination hearing. “The Housing Authority still has a long way to go to achieve its mission.”

Gotzler, as Urban Milwaukee has noted, has already attended several board meetings and taken notes.

“I look forward to bringing best practices and suggestions to the current committee,” she told the committee.

Gotzler said she would like to see more communication between the commission and HUD, which communicates primarily with HACM’s administrative staff. She also wants to improve properties. “It’s very clear that we have a number of unresolved health and safety issues in buildings and these need to be front and center,” she said.

The council unanimously approved her appointment on November 6.

On Monday, her three potential new colleagues received unanimous support from the Steering and Regulations Committee.

“I want both my voice and the residents’ voices to be heard,” said Burrell, chairman of the Westlawn Residents’ Council. “We have to work.”

Ald. Robert Bauman and other council members said they wanted her feedback on property conditions.

“I think maintenance is nonsense,” Burrell said. “Something has to be done; we have to do something quickly.”

“I think you are a breath of fresh air,” said the Council President José G. Perez.

She will be joined by Hayslett, a former HACM resident and housing operations assistant.

“I’m here because I’m ready to step up and take action,” she said. “I refuse to believe that we’re bringing political conventions to Milwaukee, all this attention, and we can’t take care of the residents in our backyard.”

She said a review of Hines, who has called on Common Ground to fire the board, is “mandatory.”

“You guys run the show. Please do not give up your power,” Pérez told board members.

“I’m proud and happy to see this happen,” said Ald. Russell W. Stamper, II. “We have high expectations from you for significant improvement.”

The new members are accompanied by a councilor.

Moore, first elected in April, would replace VandeBerg. “I want the Mayor’s office because they trusted me to be appointed to this position,” she said. “One of the reasons I was interested in this position in the first place is because I love people.”

Johnson previously appointed Ald. Milele A. Coggs and Rep. Kalan Haywood II in 2022, but both were forced to resign due to ties to the Democratic Party. State statute prohibits board members from affiliated with a political party in an “official capacity.”

“I just want to thank you so much for the sacrifice you made to do the work,” said Ald. JoCasta Zamarripa of Moore’s action to resign from the party. Council members are formally nonpartisan, but many are affiliated with the Democratic Party.

Committee members are appointed for a five-year term and serve without compensation. Board members are nominated by the mayor and confirmed by the council.

Existing HACM board members include Darian Luckett, Irma Yépez Klassen And Sherri Reed Daniels. Each of their terms expires in 2027.

Member for several decades Mark Wagnerwho had been chairman since 2014, died in August. Reed Daniels, a resident of HACM, was elected chairman in September, but has attended meetings virtually and passed the gavel to VandeBerg.

VandeBergAn Associated Bank vice president and former city employee, saw her term expire in November 2023. She was initially nominated by Johnson, but withdrew in mid-October after several contentious board meetings.

The new members said they want to hear more from the public, including HACM residents. Several of them indicated they would like to see a public comment period added to board meetings. “I think the most important thing the commission can do is meet with residents,” Gotzler said.

Common Ground supported the new slate but is not giving up on its campaign. Members attended all nomination hearings.

“Achieving a full-fledged board with new, reform-minded, active leadership is step one. Getting new leadership into top positions at the Housing Authority is the next step,” said Common Ground’s lead organizer Jennifer O’Hear in a statement. “We call on Mayor Johnson to take advantage of this positive momentum and work with the administration to replace HACM’s current leadership.”

Legislation link – Urban Milwaukee members will see direct links to legislation mentioned in this article. Join us today