Mayor, Joint Housing Review Authority Board » Urban Milwaukee

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

The beleaguered public housing agency was the source of scorn from residents and Common Ground southeastern Wisconsinwho launched a campaign against the agency in March 2023 while leaving City Hall officials frustrated.

The Common Council confirmed the first new member to the HCAM board last week, and the board’s most powerful committee approved three new members on Monday, putting them in line for formal approval in late November. In addition, the interim chair of the board Brooke VandeBergserving with an expired mandate, withdrew from the renomination and mayoral process Cavalier Johnson canceled his renomination.

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

For the first time in several years, the board is poised to return to full strength with seven members. The new members pledged to carry out a fair assessment of the agency, including its executive secretary. Willie Hines, Jr.

Among the new members are Karen Gotzlera Milwaukee resident who consulted housing authorities in other cities, Charlotte HayslettHR consultant and former HACM resident and employee, Jackie Burrella resident and community leader at HACM Westlawn Gardens complex and Stares Sharlene P. Moore.

“I think there’s still a lot of work to be done,” Gotzler said at her Oct. 21 nomination hearing. “The housing authority has a long way to go to fulfill its mission.”

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

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

Gotzler said he would like to see more communication between the commission and HUD, which has primarily communicated with HACM’s administrative staff. It is also keen to improve properties. “It’s very clear that we have some unaddressed health and safety issues at the properties and they need to come first,” she said.

The board unanimously approved her appointment on November 6.

On Monday, her three potential new colleagues won unanimous approval from the Steering Committee and Rules.

“I want my voice as well as the residents’ voices to be heard,” said Burrell, who is president of Westlawn’s resident council. “The work must be done.”

Ald. Robert Bauman and other council members said they wanted her feedback on the properties’ conditions.

“Maintenance to me is an issue,” Burrell said. “Something must be done; we have to do something fast.”

“I think you’re a breath of fresh air,” said the Council President Jose G. Perez.

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

“I’m here because I’m ready to come in and put action in place,” she said. “I refuse to believe that we bring political conventions to Milwaukee, all this attention, and we can’t take care of the residents in our own backyard.”

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

“You run the show. Please don’t give up power, please,” Pérez told council members.

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

The new members will be joined by a board member.

Moore, first elected in April, will replace VandeBerg. “I want to thank him Hall because I trusted myself 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. Mile A. Coggs and Rep. Kalan Haywood II in 2022, but both had to resign because of their affiliation with the Democratic Party. State statute prohibits board members from being affiliated in an “official capacity” with a political party.

“I want to thank you very much for making that sacrifice to get the job done,” 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.

Commission members are appointed for five-year terms and serve without compensation. Board members are appointed 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 served as president since 2014, passed away in August. Reed Daniels, a HACM resident, was elected president in September but attended meetings virtually and passed the gavel to VandeBerg.

VandeBergyear Associated Bank vice president and former city employee, saw her term expire in November 2023. She was initially reappointed 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 said they want to see a public comment period added to board meetings. “I think the most important thing the commission can do is go meet with the residents,” Gotzler said.

Common Ground has endorsed the new list, but is not giving up on its campaign. Its members attended all nomination hearings.

“Getting a full board with active, reform-minded new leadership is the first step. Getting new leadership at the top of the Housing Authority is the next step,” said Common Ground lead organizer. Jennifer O’Hear in a statement. “We urge Mayor Johnson to build on this positive momentum and work with the Council to replace the current HACM leadership.”

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