College Court Housing Complex, Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.

At the end of November, most City of Milwaukee Housing Authority (HACM) could have new faces.

The embattled public housing agency has been the subject of disdain from residents and Common Ground in Southeastern Wisconsinwhich launched a campaign against the agency in March 2023, leaving City Hall officials frustrated.

The Common Council confirmed HCAM’s first new board member last week, and the council’s most powerful committee endorsed three new members on Monday, putting them in line for formal approval in late November. Additionally, the interim president of the board Brooke Vandebergwho serves with an expired term, withdrew from the renomination process and mayor Knight Johnson rescinded his appointment.

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

For the first time in several years, the board is ready to return to its seven members. The new members have committed to a fair review of the agency, including its Secretary-Executive Director Willie Hines, Jr.

New members include Karen Gotzlera Milwaukee resident who has been a consultant to housing authorities in other cities, Charlotte Haysletthuman resources consultant and former HACM resident and employee, Jackie BurrellHACM resident and community leader Westlawn Gardens complex and council Sharlen P. Moore.

“I think there is a lot more to do,” Gotzler said at his nomination hearing on Oct. 21. “The Housing Authority has a long way to go to fulfill its mission.”

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

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

Gotzler said he would like to see more communication between the commission and HUD, which has primarily communicated with HACM administrative employees. She is also interested in improving the properties. “It’s very clear that we have some unaddressed health and safety issues at the properties and those need to be first and foremost,” he said.

The council unanimously approved his appointment on November 6.

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

“I want my voice and the residents’ voices to be heard,” said Burrell, who serves as president of the Westlawn Resident Council. “It is necessary to work.”

Aldo. Robert Baumann and other council members said they wanted his input on the conditions of the properties.

“To me, maintenance is crazy,” Burrell said. “Something needs to be done; “We need to do something quickly.”

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

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

“I’m here because I’m ready to step in and take action,” 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 backyard.”

He said a review of Hines, whom Common Ground has asked the board to fire, is “mandatory.”

“You run the show. Please, do not give up your power, please,” Pérez told the managers.

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

The new members will be joined by a council member.

Moore, first elected in April, would replace VandeBerg. “I want to thank mayor’s office for simply trusting me to be appointed to this position,” she said. “One of the reasons I became primarily interested in this position is because I love people.”

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

“I want to thank you so much for making that sacrifice to get the job done,” said Ald. JoCasta Zamarripa of Moore’s decision to resign from the party. Council members are formally nonpartisan, but many are affiliated with the Democratic Party.

Commission members are appointed to five-year terms 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 of several decades Mark Wagnerwho had held the position since 2014, died in August. HACM resident Reed Daniels was elected president in September, but attended meetings virtually and passed the gavel to VandeBerg.

vandeberga Associated bank vice president and former city employee, her term expired in November 2023. She was initially reappointed by Johnson, but retired 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 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 endorsed the new slate, but will not give up its campaign. Its members attended all nomination hearings.

“Getting a full board with new, active, reform-minded leadership is the first step. Getting new leadership at the top of 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 build on this positive momentum and work with the Board to replace the current HACM leadership.”

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