Mayor Emanuel Nominates New CHA Head

Deborah Bayliss | As of Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Mayor Rahm Emanuel nominated Michael R. Merchant (left) as the new CHA chief last week. Merchant has served as commissioner of the department of buildings since the beginning of the Emanuel administration and previously as deputy director of Intergovernmental Affairs, during the Daley administration.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel nominated Michael R. Merchant (left) as the new CHA chief last week. Merchant has served as commissioner of the department of buildings since the beginning of the Emanuel administration and previously as deputy director of Intergovernmental Affairs, during the Daley administration.

Following Chicago Housing Authority CEO Charles Woodyard’s resignation announcement last week, Mayor Rahm Emanuel last Wednesday, announced the nomination of Michael R. Merchant as the new Housing Authority CEO.

“Mike is the best type of public servant,” said Mayor Emanuel. “He is selfless and devoted, he is attentive to detail and ambitious in his thinking. I have been impressed with his leadership at the Department of Buildings and I look forward to working with him as CEO of the Chicago Housing Authority. I believe Mike will do wonderful things in that role and will help many of Chicago’s families on their path to economic stability.”

An attorney, Merchant has served as commissioner of the department of buildings since the beginning of the Emanuel administration and previously as deputy director of Intergovernmental Affairs, during the Daley administration.

He’s also worked as director in the Chicago Public Schools Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, as an Assistant Public Defender with the Cook County Public Defender.

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CHA’s original Plan for Transformation was responsible for the demolition of dilapidated high-rises, the development of new units in mixed-income communities and the rehabilitation of existing family, senior and scattered site units.

As CHA’s new head, Merchant will assume the role overseeing implementation of “Plan for Transformation,” which replaces the City’s original plan to end homelessness.

According to news reports, although the mayor praised Woodyard in an official statement, he reportedly was frustrated that Plan for Transformation, CHA's new plan for public housing, wasn't “moving forward” fast enough.

No reason was given for Woodyard’s departure after serving only two years in the position other than he was moving on to pursue other ventures and to spend more time with his family.

Asked how far into completion the Plan for Transformation was under Woodyard, CHA spokesperson, Matthew Aguilar, told the Chicago Citizen Newspaper via email response, “Today, 86 percent of the promised 25,000 housing units are complete. By the end of FY2014, CHA anticipates the completion of 23,378 housing units toward the 25,000 goal, or 88 percent of the completion goal.”

Of the families affected by the original Plan, only seven percent are still waiting to satisfy their Right of Return.

According to Aguilar, the term “Right of Return” refers to the right of all CHA leaseholders in good standing as of Oct. 1, 1999 (known as 10/1/99 residents) who remain lease-compliant and are therefore guaranteed the right to return to their choice of permanent housing. If eligible, these leaseholders are guaranteed first choice of any rehabilitated or redeveloped property and their claims take precedence over any person on the general wait list. These 10/1/99 residents are obligated to make that choice only once, after which their Right of Return is satisfied under the Relocation Rights Contract, which governs the Right of Return process.

CHA's new strategic plan, initially referred to as "Plan for Transformation 2.0" was officially named "Plan Forward: Communities that Work" when launched in April 2013.

CHA’s original Plan for Transformation was responsible for the demolition of dilapidated high-rises, the development of new units in mixed-income communities and the rehabilitation of existing family, senior and scattered site units.

“The key goals of Plan Forward include completing the final phase of the original Plan (for Transformation 2.0) and coordinating public and private investments to develop vibrant communities, ensuring CHA's housing portfolio is safe, decent and sustainable; and expanding targeted services to more residents at critical milestones in their lives,” Aguilar stated.

Merchant seems poised to take on the job.

“I look forward to the challenges of this new role,” said Commissioner Merchant. “I believe that we will be able to advance the mission of the Chicago Housing Authority and provide a better future for many of Chicago’s most vulnerable residents, and I look forward to working with the Mayor and the other leaders in the city to accomplish these goals.”

The Board is expected to meet later this month to consider the candidacy.

“The board is very pleased to consider the Mayor's nomination of Mike Merchant” said CHA Board of Commissioners Chairman, Zaldwaynaka Scott. “His record reflects management background, deep ties to Chicago’s community, and breadth of experience that will make him a valued leader as the organization moves forward in its implementation of Plan 2.0.”

As for individuals recently purged from a Housing Choice Voucher program, CHA spokesperson, Wendy Parks, said, “Individuals who were on the waitlist were asked to update their information as a condition. We did Robo calls…those individuals who did not update their information, were removed from the list but can reply.”

CHA is being sued for a policy that forced residents to take drug tests to renew their leases. There also have been protests by residents who were promised the right to return to their redeveloped neighborhoods but were denied because of various technicalities, according to published news reports.

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