The Housing Authority needs to fill one vacant tenant position on its Board of Commissioners. Housing Commissioners should have the following characteristics for the effective functioning of the Board of Commissioners:
1. Must have an earnest interest in the affordable housing needs of low-income families throughout Contra Costa County.
2. Must be dedicated to the mission of the Housing Authority, which is to provide high-quality affordable housing solutions and promote self-sufficiency for low-income persons of Contra Costa County
3. Must be willing and able to attend and participate in the following key activities:
- Affordable housing solutions
- Monthly Board of Commissioner meetings
- Periodic commissioner training seminars as needed to assist the commissioners in performing their oversight duties.
4. Must be willing to become knowledgeable about the activities, policies, and practices of the Housing Authority and be able to effectively deliberate on matters brought before the Board of Commissioners.
5. Must be able to work cooperatively with other Board members, the Executive Director, and Housing Authority staff.
In early 2014, the Housing Authority solicited applicants from its Resident Advisory Board, active resident councils, Section 8 Family Self-sufficiency clients and at its senior properties to fill two vacancies on the Board of Commissioners. A total of 23 applications were received. A first round of screening removed any persons not in good standing with the Housing Authority or any applicants who had moved from the Housing Authority's jurisdiction. Pursuant to then-Chair Mitchoff’s instructions, a panel was convened in March 2014 to interview all remaining applicants. The panel was composed of Joseph Villarreal, the Housing Authority’s Executive Director, Keiko Kobayashi, the Housing Authority’s primary Counsel, and Julie DiMaggio Enea, a Senior Deputy with the County Administrator's Office.
Ms. George-Oden of San Pablo (formerly of Antioch) was selected from the 2014 recruitment for appointment to the Tenant seat and has served continuously through March 2018. The Housing Authority Executive Director recommends Ms. George-Oden for reappointment to a new two year term, to expire on March 31, 2020.
Disapproval of the nomination would prolong the vacancy in a Tenant seat and not provide representation of Housing Authority clients on the Board of Commissioners as required by law.