Reynolds Brings Extensive Affordable Housing Experience and Will Begin the Role Jan. 12
Santa Monica has named Aileen Reynolds as its next director of the Housing and Human Services Department, city officials announced, selecting a longtime housing policy administrator with experience overseeing large-scale affordable housing programs.
Reynolds will assume the role effective Jan. 12, replacing Heather Averick, who is stepping down from the position but will continue working with the city in a part-time capacity on special projects in the City Manager’s Office.
Reynolds most recently served as assistant commissioner of housing opportunity at the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. In that role, she led a staff of more than 75 employees focused on placing individuals and families into permanent housing. City officials said her team helped secure housing for more than 43,000 households, marking record outcomes for the department.
Her career in housing began in New York, where she worked as a project coordinator on a large affordable housing development in the Bronx. Reynolds has since held positions spanning property management, housing marketing, and the development of equitable housing access policies. Her professional background includes work with the New York City Housing Development Corporation, Richman Property Services and the Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation.
As Santa Monica’s housing and human services director, Reynolds will oversee the Santa Monica Housing Authority and guide the city’s efforts to expand affordable housing options. Her duties will also include managing the Human Services Grants Program and continuing the implementation of Santa Monica’s Homelessness Strategic Plan.
Reynolds will also play a key role in advancing the city’s Realignment Plan. That work will involve coordinating across departments on initiatives such as a vacant property registry and a rent registry, supporting Housing Element goals with an emphasis on the downtown area, and overseeing the transition from the SAMOSHEL homeless shelter to a housing-first system of care.
Reynolds holds a bachelor’s degree from Fordham University. Her annual salary will be $258,756, according to the city.
