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The Polk County Housing Trust Fund (PCHTF) Board of Directors is sharing plans around its search for a new Executive Director. As planned, Eric Burmeister will be retiring in June after more than 12 years of service.
“With Eric’s leadership PCHTF has become the ‘go to’ for housing affordability in our region and thousands of families now have an opportunity to live in safe, stable, and affordable homes,” said Cole McClelland, Chair, PCHTF Board of Directors. “Increasing the supply and quality of affordable housing is critical and we are approaching this leadership transition with great attention. We expect our next leader will maintain the momentum of the great work underway, while also seeing the amazing potential that is possible and approaching the work with the urgency needed.”
In 2022, Polk County Housing Trust Fund helped leverage over $20M in housing production and preservation while assisting local governments in planning for their future housing needs. A complete review of the organization’s work can be found in its Annual Report https://www.pchtf.org/annual-report. For the coming year the impact will be much greater; in 2022 PCHTF was selected to manage $12M in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to develop and improve multifamily housing. This comes at a time when the National Low Income Housing Coalition estimates Polk County is short about 11,635 affordable and available rental units for people whose incomes fall under 30% of area median income.
The infusion of funding, additional programs, and growing needs of the community have also led the PCHTF Board of Directors to add a position for a Director of Housing Development. This new position, in addition to the Executive Director role, will also be posted at the same time to ensure the organization has the capacity and clear roles to execute its Strategic Plan and growing responsibilities.
“This is an incredibly exciting and important time,” said Eric Burmeister, Executive Director of PCHTF. “The support and momentum around housing affordability has never been greater and I am grateful to the board, staff and the many community partners, developers and elected officials who have all been part of getting us to where we are now — well-positioned for the critical policy work and support that is needed next. I hope the new Executive Director receives all the support needed to close the gap and be that much closer to ensuring everyone in Polk County has a place to live.”
About the Search Process
The PCHTF Board and special Transition Committee are working with a local team of Cassandra Halls (2 THE TOP) and Diana Deibler (Deibler & Company) to lead the searches and transition effort. The Executive Director and Director of Housing Development positions and job postings are available on the PCHTF website. The Transition Plan and new Job Descriptions were informed by input from a cross-section of community stakeholders and the organization’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis and the goal is to have both positions filled in May.
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