The following story was originally published in the Pittsburgh Business Times. Click here for the original article which includes an audio link.
After 20 years of leadership, Larry Swanson, executive director of ACTION-Housing Inc., will be retiring later this year.
Lena Andrews, who currently serves as vice president of real estate development at the nonprofit real estate development organization that focuses on affordable housing, will be stepping into the top role. She has been with the organization for 12 years and will be the first woman to lead ACTION-Housing in its 67-year history.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to lead ACTION-Housing. Like many communities across the country, people in Allegheny County face serious housing challenges, and ACTION-Housing will continue to be a leader in meeting those challenges,” Andrews said in a release. “We have exciting development projects in our pipeline, and we have significantly expanded our services to help residents thrive in the homes that they have. We need to make sure every person in Pittsburgh has a safe, stable and affordable place to call home.”
The transition will take place over the course of the next few months and be completed by Oct. 1.
Swanson, who has been executive director of ACTION-Housing since 2005, has served with the organization in various capacities for the past 45 years. He was also a founding member and former board president of the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, and he helped develop Pennsylvania’s Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program.
Over the course of its history, ACTION-Housing has developed, managed or preserved over 2,000 affordable housing units.
“I am proud of the impact ACTION-Housing has had on Pittsburgh and Allegheny County in my 45 years with the organization,” Swanson said in a release. “Together with our partners, we’ve ensured that tens of thousands of Pittsburgh residents have secured affordable housing and achieved self-sufficiency.”