HOUSING AUTHORITY

Summary

The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM) Executive Search Committee has been engaged in a process to select candidates for the Secretary-Executive Director position. The committee, assisted by The Organizational Leadership Edge (TOLE), has conducted multiple meetings throughout December 2025 and January 2026, including interviews with candidates such as Keon Jackson, Ralph Jordan, Harold Ince, Berdie Cowser, and Rick Toney.

Key actions taken include:

• December 9, 2025: Discussed the search process, rated and ranked candidates, and determined the initial group for interviews. Convened in closed session to evaluate applicants.
• December 29 & 30, 2025: Conducted first-round interviews with candidates.
• January 6, 2026: Approved minutes from previous meetings and amended Resolution File Number R13705 to recommend candidates Harold Ince and Ralph Jordan to the HACM Board of Commissioners. Also recommended the Board Chair schedule stakeholder events.
• January 16, 2026: Further discussed candidate rankings and approved Resolution File Number R13720. This resolution amended the previous recommendation to forward the names of Berdie Cowser, Harold Ince, Keon Jackson, Ralph Jordan, and Rick Toney to the HACM Board of Commissioners for consideration for finalist interviews. This resolution also formally withdrew R13705.

Citizen Impact

This process is focused on selecting a new Secretary-Executive Director for the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee. The chosen candidate will oversee the agency's operations, which directly impacts the provision of housing options and services for residents.

Confidence

high

Summary

This item presents the December 18, 2025, meeting minutes from the Travaux Inc. Board of Directors. Key actions included:

• Approval of November 20, 2025, minutes.
• Election of officers: Alison Woznicki was nominated and elected Vice President, and Patricia Dee was nominated and elected Secretary.
• Approval of the 2026 Board of Directors schedule.
• Report from the President: Updates on various modernization projects including Scattered Sites, College Court, Mitchell Court, Lincoln Court, Hillside Terrace elevator modernizations, Westlawn Park/Playground, camera installations, Locust Court façade work, and Hillside Terrace balcony repairs. Challenges with elevator modernization at College Court and vendor issues with Otis Elevator were noted. The report also covered Highland Gardens renovations, Westlawn Gardens lighting study, and pending camera installations. A cost-saving measure related to green roof trays at Highland Gardens was highlighted.

Additionally, the report included occupancy and work order reports for Public Housing, Affordable LLC Housing, and Market Rate Housing properties, as well as Capital Fund Program (CFP) budgets for 2022-2025. The MRA Organizational Structure Review Findings Report and HACM Organizational Chart were also presented, detailing challenges and recommendations for the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM) and its relationship with Travaux, including financial management, executive team structure, HR, accounting, resident services, and housing operations.

Citizen Impact

Residents will be informed about the progress and challenges of various housing modernization projects and the organizational structure review of the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM) and Travaux. This may lead to improved operational efficiency and service delivery in public and affordable housing.

Confidence

high

Summary

This report details the activities of the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee's (HACM) Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) managed by CVR Associates, Inc. since January 2, 2025. The program inherited a "Troubled" SEMAP rating and a financial shortfall. CVR has focused on increasing staffing, improving compliance, and addressing backlogs in areas like annual recertifications, inspections, and leasing. The report highlights progress in call center operations, customer service, and in-person assistance, noting a decrease in visitor numbers in December 2025. Intake and leasing are currently limited to specific voucher types due to the shortfall. The report also details ongoing efforts to resolve occupancy discrepancies, manage interims and moves, and address issues with Veterans Affairs programs. Quality control reviews identified frequent errors in asset verification, income calculation, and notice procedures, leading to targeted training and updated checklists. Project-based voucher (PBV) discrepancies are being reconciled, and a significant number of move-ins have occurred, with associated payouts. Finance reports indicate that bank reconciliations are current, but outstanding items date back to 2021. The HCV program is projecting a shortfall of $469,784 for December 2025, though it is expected to recover in January 2026. The report also covers the transition to NSPIRE inspections, noting a high fail rate, and details customer service call volumes for inspections. Finally, it addresses barriers to PIC/EIV access for CVR staff and outlines the Public Safety Department's initiatives, including proactive patrols, lease compliance, and a coordinated plan for Narcan distribution and opioid education, as well as agency-wide evacuation planning.

Citizen Impact

Residents utilizing the Housing Choice Voucher Program may experience delays in processing recertifications and move-ins due to inherited backlogs and financial shortfalls. Efforts are underway to improve operations, but ongoing issues with inspections and data reconciliation could impact service delivery. The Public Safety Department's initiatives aim to enhance resident safety through proactive patrols and opioid education.

Confidence

high