Governor Names New OHCS Director

On August 12, Governor John Kitzhaber announced Margaret Van Vliet as the new director of Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS). Van Vliet will leave her current position as director of the Portland Housing Bureau (PHB) on September 15 and take over leadership of OHCS beginning October 1. She comes to OHCS after two successful years at PHB, including guiding the agency through the merger of the old Bureau of Housing and Community Development and the housing functions of the Portland Development Commission. Prior to her tenure at PHB, Van Vliet worked as both the executive director and deputy director of the (then) Housing Authority of Portland, on policy in the governor’s office during one of Kitzhaber’s previous terms, as the executive director of the Network for Oregon Affordable Housing, and in the banking industry.

Governor Kitzhaber replaced former OHCD Director Victor Merced in February, naming Rick Crager, OHCS deputy director, as acting director during the six-month search. OHCS likely faces a re-budgeting and restructuring process following the recent changes with its contract to administer HUD’s project-based Section 8 assistance in Oregon (see post from August 11).

— Posted on 8/15/2011