MANSFIELD — Steve Andrews will continue to serve as the executive director of the Mansfield Metropolitan Housing Authority in 2025.
At its final meeting of the year, the MMHA board voted to design a contract for Andrew’s renewal. The director’s existing contract was set to expire on Jan. 24.
Andrews’ new contract will run through June 2028 and include his current salary of $104,000.
“I was excited to see the board commit to another 2.5 year contract as these next years will be so important to building greater community impact,” Andrews said.
“It’s an exciting time to be part of an organization and having a board that truly cares about making such a difference.”
Andrews has worked for the authority since July 2021. His tenure has not been without controversy.
In late 2022, Andrews spoke out about what he characterized as a “dysfunctional” board that was hindering the agency’s work. A month later, the board terminated Andrews with a 3-0 vote.
Two of the board members who voted in favor of Andrews’ termination were later removed by former Mansfield Mayor Tim Theaker, who appointed them.
Andrews was reinstated. Three days later, Stephanie Hartzler, a high-ranking employee who’d worked for the MMHA for 25 years, was fired. Hartzler and another employee filed a lawsuit against the authority, which was eventually settled out of court.
Andrews outlines development, additional federal funding attainment as goals for agency
Under Andrews’ leadership, the MMHA embarked on its first development project in decades. The Turtle Creek extension project will add 70, two-bedroom units and 50, three-bedrooms units, all of which will be affordable housing for residents of any age.
In October 2022, the authority secured $7.7 million in bond gap financing through the Ohio Housing Finance Agency to build the additional units.
While environmental issues delayed the project, Andrews told the board he expects to break ground in May 2025.
“If all goes well, we could have some of the new units occupied by the end of the year,” he said.
Earlier this month, the Area Agency on Aging presented Andrews with the Award of Excellence for his “dedication to promoting accessible and affordable housing.”
Andrews said moving forward, the agency will continue to look for opportunities to develop housing through developing new units and rehabilitating existing units.
He also hopes to launch tenant education classes, which would allow the MMHA to apply for Family Self-Sufficiency program funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
“After this we look to possibly apply for Home Ownership Funding through HUD,” Andrews said.
According to HUD’s website, this funding allows families receiving housing choice vouchers to use their voucher to buy a home and receive monthly assistance in meeting homeownership expenses. The program is limited to first-time homeowners who have received housing counseling and meet the minimum income requirements.
Andrews said he’s not concerned about HUD funding cuts during Trump administration
Andrews also told the board Tuesday he doesn’t think HUD will cut funding for housing authorities under the incoming Trump administration.
“Everybody asked that same question back in 2016 . . . They got more, significantly more in fact, in 2016,” Andrews said.
“Everybody across the country is aware we’re in a national housing crisis. No one in their right mind is going to pull funding from housing right now. Their constituents would throw a fit.”
Nevertheless, Andrews said he thinks HUD will be “hit hard” by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an advisory team to the president comprised of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy.
“No government agency is run super efficient, but HUD is top of the list for the worst-run when it comes to efficiency,” Andrews said. “I think they’re going to be examining some things, and maybe that means we’re going to get some clarity, and they can start solving things.”