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The City of Longmont and the Longmont Housing Authority (LHA) are planning to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement that shifts the operational responsibilities of the Longmont Housing Authority to the City of Longmont. LHA executive director, Jillian Baldwin, has been instrumental in helping LHA navigate through some challenges and stabilize over the past 20 months. The City and the LHA have been working together over the past several months to reexamine the operations of the Housing Authority after identifying that the existing model is not sustainable for the long term due to its current size and economies of scale. During that time, City staff also become aware that Jillian was considering a potential career move and she has announced that she will be leaving the LHA effective May 15, 2020. The two organizations will continue to work closely to build an efficient operational model, based on collaboration and resource sharing, that best serves the Longmont community.
“This partnership with the LHA will address the needs of our most vulnerable populations” says Karen Roney, Community Services Director for the City of Longmont. “By integrating and streamlining existing resources, we can build a resilient, robust and sustainable operational structure that aligns LHA with the City in support of City Council’s vision that all residents can thrive in our community, regardless of their circumstances.”
Through the transition, the City and the LHA will be working together to strengthen affordable housing opportunities and supportive services offered to Longmont’s most vulnerable residents. During this time, the LHA Board will retain its policy governing role and a team of City and LHA staff and consultants will be assembled to address immediate needs in operations, finance, development and residential communities.
“We have the opportunity to set truly aspirational goals and break the mold for how our community approaches housing for all of our current and future residents” says Bruce Robbins, LHA Board Chair. “Both entities are embracing the unique opportunity to reinvent Longmont Housing Authority in an economically sustainable way that benefits our residents first and foremost as well as the staff at both organizations”.
Any questions can be directed to Karen Roney, Community Services Director for the City of Longmont at [email protected].
